The NCAA spent Monday morning on Miami's campus investigating claims that Miami football players received impermissible benefits from former UM booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro.CBSSports.com's Bryan Fischer reported the investigation, and the Associated Press confirmed the NCAA's presence on campus after speaking to Shapiro's attorney, Maria Elena Perez.His attorney, Maria Elena Perez, says Shapiro has told the NCAA he provided players with the use of a yacht and other favors. Shapiro and Perez have been talking with the NCAA about the matter for a couple of months, and she says investigators were on campus Monday.Shapiro claims he is working on a tell-all book about Miami football that is expected to name nearly 100 Hurricanes who broke NCAA rules since 2001. He was a big-time booster who, unfortunately, became very close with the team and was often seen on the Miami sideline. One CBSSports.com source told Fischer Miami was in "big trouble" and "Shapiro would be able to back up his allegations."Shapiro, 42, was sentenced in June to 20 years in prison for his involvement in a Ponzi scheme. While one argument in Miami's favor would try to paint this as a desperate man looking for publicity, Shapiro's legal troubles could actually end up hurting Miami. In other situations money trails disappear and make it difficult for allegations to stick, I bet it is impossible for someone already convicted of investment fraud to hide any transactions.University officials have not offered an official comment on the issue. Keep it here at the Eye on College Football for more as it develops.
The NCAA is indeed looking into potential prohibited benefits given from Nevin Shapiro, Ponzi schemer and rabid Miami Hurricanes fan, to Miami football players during a period spanning the Larry Coker and Randy Shannon eras in Coral Gables. Shapiro's attorney says the allegations are part of a planned book on the U called "The Real U: 2001 to 2010. Inside the Eye of the Hurricane," and that her client has ample evidence to back up his claims of giving suits, jewelry, and tailored suits to Hurricane players during their time in South Florida.
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