A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit said the player, Harvey “Scooter” McDougle Jr., 22, a senior, recruited football and basketball players to participate in the scheme spearheaded by a Sterling Heights man identified only as “Gary.” Gary’s recruitment of players allegedly included inviting the athletes to gamble and dine at Greektown Casino in Detroit. The complaint said one player was offered $10,000 to sit out a football game. Other players received cash, groceries, merchandise and other gifts, the complaint said.

No other players were identified in the complaint, so it is unclear how many players or teams at Toledo were involved in the scheme, or whether teams at other schools are being investigated. There was no indication in the complaint that players threw any games because of the scheme.

In November 2005, the Detroit FBI began intercepting phone calls to and from Gary’s residence to find out about his illegal gambling and sports bribery operation and who it involved. The wiretaps stopped in December 2006. Gary was identified only as an Iraqi male.

The complaint said Gary, McDougle and others bribed Toledo athletes to influence the final score of specific games, so Gary and the others could bet on the games with illegal sports bookmakers. Gary met the players through a Toledo cellular phone store where university athletes shopped. He eventually was introduced to a Rockets football player at the store, who introduced Gary to other school athletes.

In the months that followed, Gary invited the players to Detroit, where he wined and dined them at restaurants and invited them to gamble at casinos. Once he evaluated the players, he would ask them to participate in a point shaving scheme in exchange for cash and gifts. On Dec. 2, 2005, the complaint said, FBI agents saw McDougle and other Toledo players meet with Gary at a Detroit restaurant before heading to the VIP area of the Greektown Casino.

Players who agreed to participate were told about the betting line, the point spread for a particular game. If the team were a three-point favorite, anyone who bet on the Rockets would win if the Rockets won by four points or more. Anyone who bet on the opponent could still win if the opponent lost by three points and less, the complaint said.

McDougle, who appeared in court wearing gray sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt and black Nike shoes, is to return to court April 20 for a preliminary examination. U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia Morgan told McDougle he should not discuss the case with the media or anyone else. The charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison with a fine of up to $250,000.

More charges are expected, though Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morris, who is handling the case, would not confirm Friday more people would be charged in the case. The alleged scheme stretched from fall 2003 through winter 2006, the complaint alleges. The University of Toledo had no immediate comment on the criminal complaint. Numerous recruits from Metro Detroit have played for the University of Toledo.

Even though McDougle told the FBI he received a car, telephone and other gifts from Gary, he insisted it never changed the way he played to affect the outcome of games. While there was no indication in the complaint that players threw any games because of the scheme, the document alleges that Gary, McDougle and others bribed Toledo athletes to impact the final score of specific games, so bets could be made on the games with illegal sports bookmakers.

Mcdougle will be a senior next season. He is currently listed fourth on the teams depth chart. He sat out the 2003 season due to NCAA academic restrictions. In 2004, Mcdougle led the rockets with 620 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. As a starter, he gained over a hundred yards in three consecutive games. In the Mac championship game, he suffered a knee injury. In that 2004 season Toledo was 9-3 overall and 9-3 against the spread, which was 10th best out 118 division one teams. The following year Mcdougle played sparingly on special teams and did not see any action at running back. Last year he also played a very small role on the team.