DENIAL: Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings
DETROIT -- "I didn't lie," Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber told USA Today in a story published Tuesday. "The truth always comes out. What this case is about is a 70-year-old man dressed in hip-hop clothes who befriended kids and said he loved kids, and I believed him."
Webber was indicted Monday on charges he lied to a grand jury about his dealings with University of Michigan booster Ed Martin, who admits lending the NBA star $280,000 while he was still an amateur.
"I didn't know he saw my potential before I saw it. Threats were made. Those threats have come to reality. I believe this is extortion. After the trial, and I am vindicated, this case will be bigger than me lying to the grand jury, which I did not do," Webber said.
Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, admitting he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to several players while they were still amateurs.
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