A Georgia man with a history of deception, Calvin Darden Jr., has been convicted of defrauding former NBA stars Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons out of a staggering $8 million.
Darden Jr. spun elaborate tales, falsely claiming to be brokering deals for the Atlanta Dream women’s basketball team and a loan to NBA prospect James Wiseman. Instead, he used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle of mansions, luxury cars, and expensive art.
Read: AR-15, Toddler, And Cell Phones: Indiana Armed Robbers Sentenced In Indy Crime Spree
Darden Jr., who has two prior fraud convictions, went to great lengths to deceive his victims, even impersonating his prominent businessman father to gain their trust. He lured Howard into sending $7 million with a fabricated “Vision Plan,” falsely claiming endorsements from celebrities like Tyler Perry and Issa Rae, and companies like Starbucks and Aflac.
Parsons fell victim to a scheme involving a supposed loan to then-NBA prospect James Wiseman, with Darden Jr. forging documents to support his lies.
The jury saw through Darden Jr.’s web of deceit, finding him guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. He faces a potential of decades in prison.
Read: Illinois Man Indicted For Threatening To Murder Federal Judge In District Overseeing Trump Case
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated, “Calvin Darden, Jr. exploited the trust of former NBA players Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons, using elaborate lies and deception to line his own pockets with millions. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that financial deceit will not be tolerated.”
Darden Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced on January 27, 2024.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.