Report: Arizona St. Players Plead Guilty

Two former Arizona State basketball players have pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit sports bribery in a federal investigation of point-shaving at the university, the Arizona Republic reported Thursday. The newspaper, citing unidentified sources, said the plea agreements by Stevin Smith and Isaac Burton would be announced today.

The Republic also said indictments would be announced against gambler Joseph Gagliano Jr., a Phoenix investment advisor, and Benny Silman, a former partner in a cappuccino stand at America West Arena in Phoenix.

News reports have cited law enforcement sources as saying Smith and Burton took payoffs from Gagliano and Silman in return for shaving points. It began when Smith was trying to erase a $10,000 gambling debt to Silman, and Silman agreed to drop it if Smith fixed Arizona State games.