ATLANTA (AP) — In early 2024, Luther Davis, a former defensive tackle at the University of Alabama, was involved in a scheme aimed at defrauding investors by impersonating NFL players through video calls. Presenting himself with wigs and makeup, he deceived investors into believing they were granting loans to professional athletes.
The criminal complaint against Davis, filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, describes how he successfully acquired a $4 million loan under false pretenses. The investigation revealed multiple instances where disguises and fake driver’s licenses with the players' images were utilized to pass verification processes.
Davis, alongside his co-defendant CJ Evins, faces accusations of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The duo initially pled not guilty but are scheduled for a court appearance on April 27 to change their plea.
The allegations state that no NFL players sanctioned the loans, which ultimately netted the defendants nearly $20 million from at least 13 fraudulent transactions. The funds were allegedly funneled into luxury purchases, including real estate, jewelry, and vehicles.
As a national champion with the Crimson Tide in 2010, Davis's fall from grace starkly contrasts his success in collegiate football.
