Posted by Chip PattersonAn investigation into the Columbus (Ga.) Parks and Recreation Department may have revealed potential violations regarding two University of Georgia athletes, according to a report in the Ledger-Enquirer.Police records show that department director Tony Adams and top lieutenant Herman Porter used an unauthorized bank account to pay for flights for USC transfer Jarvis Jones. The investigation also reveals possible wrongdoing involving shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (read more on Caldwell-Pope and the hardwood Bulldogs at the Eye On College Basketball).Both Jones and Caldwell-Pope played on the Georgia Blazers, a city-funded, Nike-sponsored AAU basketball team. A Parks and Recreation employee told police that Adams used the Georgia Blazers credit card to pay for four different flights between Atlanta and Los Angeles for Jones' mother in the Summer/Fall 2009. According to the report, the total cost of all four flights was $828.40.Jones was a highly touted recruit when he signed with USC in 2009, but a neck injury kept him from being cleared medically and led to his transfer to Athens. After sitting out the 2010 season, he is projected as a starting linebacker for the Bulldogs in the fall. As of Sunday afternoon, Georgia's compliance office stated the school had not received any information from the NCAA about the investigation. Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren, however, said the NCAA was "aware of the investigation, allegations and actions of the individuals we had under investigation."If the NCAA determines the purchase of the flights to be in violation on NCAA rules, Jones would likely be suspended for a portion of the Bulldogs' 2011 season. For enrolled student-athletes, any benefit of $500 or greater results in 30% withholding (from games) and repayment of the amount. If this punishment applies to Jones, he would be forced to sit out (likely) the first four games of the 2011 season.Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the first four games of the season include two of the biggest matchups on the schedule. Georgia plays Boise State in a "neutral" Georgia Dome for the Chick Fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta on Sept. 3, then hosts the defending division champion South Carolina Gamecocks in Athens on Sep. 10. In another down year for what many consider a winnable SEC East, that early-season showdown could once again prove to be a pivotal outcome for the division race come August.BRIEFLY: Georgia head coach Mark Richt announced on Sunday that redshirt freshman Brent Benedict is no longer a member of the football program. There was no official statement from Benedict, but the release stated the offensive lineman was leaving for "personal reasons."
An investigation into the Columbus (Ga.) Parks and Recreation Department may have revealed potential violations regarding two University of Georgia athletes, according to a report in the Ledger-Enquirer.
Police records show that department director Tony Adams and top lieutenant Herman Porter used an unauthorized bank account to pay for flights for USC transfer Jarvis Jones. The investigation also reveals possible wrongdoing involving shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (read more on Caldwell-Pope and the hardwood Bulldogs at the Eye On College Basketball).
Both Jones and Caldwell-Pope played on the Georgia Blazers, a city-funded, Nike-sponsored AAU basketball team. A Parks and Recreation employee told police that Adams used the Georgia Blazers credit card to pay for four different flights between Atlanta and Los Angeles for Jones' mother in the Summer/Fall 2009. According to the report, the total cost of all four flights was $828.40.
Jones was a highly touted recruit when he signed with USC in 2009, but a neck injury kept him from being cleared medically and led to his transfer to Athens. After sitting out the 2010 season, he is projected as a starting linebacker for the Bulldogs in the fall. As of Sunday afternoon, Georgia's compliance office stated the school had not received any information from the NCAA about the investigation. Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren, however, said the NCAA was "aware of the investigation, allegations and actions of the individuals we had under investigation."
If the NCAA determines the purchase of the flights to be in violation on NCAA rules, Jones would likely be suspended for a portion of the Bulldogs' 2011 season. For enrolled student-athletes, any benefit of $500 or greater results in 30% withholding (from games) and repayment of the amount. If this punishment applies to Jones, he would be forced to sit out (likely) the first four games of the 2011 season.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the first four games of the season include two of the biggest matchups on the schedule. Georgia plays Boise State in a "neutral" Georgia Dome for the Chick Fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta on Sept. 3, then hosts the defending division champion South Carolina Gamecocks in Athens on Sep. 10. In another down year for what many consider a winnable SEC East, that early-season showdown could once again prove to be a pivotal outcome for the division race come August.
BRIEFLY: Georgia head coach Mark Richt announced on Sunday that redshirt freshman Brent Benedict is no longer a member of the football program. There was no official statement from Benedict, but the release stated the offensive lineman was leaving for "personal reasons."
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