Craig Carton's Trial Begins

Carton

CRAIG CARTON's trial on fraud charges has begun in MANHATTAN federal court, with opening statements offered TUESDAY (10/30) and his attorney painting the former Sports WFAN-A-F/NEW YORK host as a well-meaning dupe of a con-man partner and prosecutors saying CARTON repeatedly lied to investors in what amounted to a Ponzi scheme that he used to pay gambling debts and personal bills while paying early investors with money invested by later investors.  The business involved a resale scheme for concert and sporting event tickets.

CARTON's attorney ROBERT GOTTLIEB told jurors that CARTON had been "played" by his former business partner JOSEPH MELI, who is serving six and one-half years in prison after pleading guilty in his own trial.  GOTTLIEB said that CARTON had over the years earned the opportunity to obtain and resell tickets to events, and that he sought an experienced business partner, leading to his arrangement with MELI.

CARTON was fired from WFAN when the charges broke; since his dismissal from WFAN, CARTON has been hosting a podcast and online video show.

« see more Net News