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 Documents show extent of Martin's biz
Posted: Tuesday July 20, 1999 02:36 PM
DETROIT (AP) -- Ed Martin, a former University of Michigan basketball booster, ran an illegal numbers operation that collected thousands of dollars a week in bets from autoworkers, according to federal court documents. Martin and his son, Carlton, oversaw a network of runners who gathered daily bets from workers at the Ford Rouge complex in Dearborn, according to the U.S. District Court filings. The government has charged eight men with being involved in the gambling ring with the Martins. FBI and IRS agents raided the Detroit-area homes of those eight in April at the same time agents searched homes owned by the Martins. The agents seized more than $150,000 in cash from the homes and a business, along with weapons and a variety of alleged gambling records. Neil Fink, the lawyer representing the Martins, declined comment to the Detroit Free Press Monday. Nick Sharkey, a Ford Motor Co. spokesman, said he was unfamiliar with the details of the investigation and could not comment. In general, he said, Ford has looked into plant gambling only when a specific problem has cropped up. Ford has cooperated with authorities, he told the Free Press. The FBI sought charges against the eight suspects on Friday in U.S. District Court. A magistrate approved warrants charging the men with gambling and conspiracy. Those charged were Jessie Keesee of Allen Park, Larry Pearson of Southfield, Lenon Thompson of Belleville and five Detroiters -- Alfred Smith, Bennie Smith Jr., Willie Riley, Oliver Wilson and Allen Hall. Ed Martin gained notoriety when he came under scrutiny in the investigation of Michigan men's basketball from 1996 through 1997. Martin was a key figure in the inquiry, overseen by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Martin was alleged to have supplied cash, loans and other banned benefits to athletes dating back to at least the early 1990s. Those allegations could not be proven when the investigation ended in 1997. Michigan was assessed with only minor penalties, and basketball coach Steve Fisher was fired. Federal agents later began delving into the question of whether Martin ran a gambling operation. And during the probe, they have tried to determine whether Martin provided money and loans to players. Agents have subpoenaed bank records of several former Wolverine players, people familiar with the investigation have told the newspaper, and also have sought to question players. An attorney for two former players, Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock, has said the two are cooperating with authorities. Agents have found no reason to suspect that there was any illegal gambling on college games, Michigan officials have said. Court records also show no evidence that players or coaches were involved with the gambling.
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