Man pleads guilty in $10 million Ohio fraud, money laundering case with links to Miami Heat
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A former Ohio man has pleaded guilty to fraud charges that include related allegations he cheated Miami Heat basketball players out of millions of dollars.
A 135-count indictment filed last year described a scheme under which Haider Zafar (HAY'-dur ZAH'-fahr) allegedly swindled a Washington businessman out of $10 million between 2008 and 2010.
A witness who testified against Zafar in August alleged Zafar also defrauded Heat players, including former forward Mike Miller.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Zafar on Thursday pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion charges before federal Judge Edmund Sargus in Columbus.
Zafar's plea deal includes his willingness to resolve a possible federal investigation in Florida.
An IRS agent testified in court that Zafar laundered money by purchasing $30,000 watches and cars costing more than $100,000.