Richard Garmo, the man accused of participating in a sports betting business to affect the outcome of basketball games at the University of San Diego is set to be granted a release from federal prison.
The 42-year-old was described in an indictment as one of the three money men who were involved in a sports bribery scheme.
“The drug trafficking and sports betting charged in this case were organized and substantial and reflect diversification of criminality that we will not tolerate,” United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy said. “Whether in the area of politics, law, or sports, the phrase “the fix was in” sends chills down the spine of all Americans.”
About $120,000 changing hands, according to sandiego.com’s Lee “Hacksaw” Hamilton. And he found that the FBI isn’t too kind to people involved in point-shaving.
There is history in all this. Arizona State came through a scandal involving four games and its leading scorer Stevin Smith. He did 14 months in prison. Toledo has four athletes involved with possible point shaving in football and basketball, linked to a mini-mobster in Michigan. Tulane and Boston College had players go to prison for similar involvements in the 1980s. The all-time worst scandal took down the legendary New York college programs at NYU, City College, Brooklyn College, and spilled over to Kentucky and Akron in the early 1950s.
According to court documents, Steve Warda Goria, Paul Joseph Thweni, and Garmo, residents of San Diego County, orchestrated multiple criminal schemes, including the sports bribery scheme involving Johnson, Brown, and Brandon Dowdy.
Garmo appeared in court Monday with his family willing to “put up their home” to free him. Now he plays the waiting game – a different kind of gamble – while his bond paperwork is completed.
Brandon Johnson // Photo: sandiego6.com
Bond was set at $40,000. The value of his home was not immediately known.
Nor was Garmo’s destination if he is released, given the sale of his house.
USD’s all-time leading scorer, Brandon Johnson, will also face charges. Thaddeus Brown, an assistant coach at the school in the 2006-07 season will, too.
Johnson is free on bail, and according to sandiego.com’s Hamilton, eight of the 10 linked to the case in one way or another are out on bail, too.
“Our country is rooted in, and values, fair competition and success based on hard work and self-sacrifice, Duffy said. “Tampering with sporting events strikes at the integrity of the games; this kind of betrayal is not merely disappointing—it is criminal and worthy of prosecution.”
The indictment alleges that Johnson took a bribe to influence a USD game in February 2010 and solicited someone else this January to affect the outcome of USD basketball games, according to The Associated Press.
Maximum penalties: five years in prison and $250,000 fine.
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