Notre Dame Booster Pleads Guilty

A former Notre Dame booster accused of embezzling more than $1 million, then giving money to Irish football players as gifts, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft.

Kimberly Dunbar, 29, faces the maximum sentence for the two Class C felony counts--up to 16 years in prison and a $20,000 fine--because her plea doesn’t include a sentencing agreement.

St. Joseph County prosecutor Michael Barnes said his investigation has not produced evidence that current or former Notre Dame players were guilty of any crime. But he added that the statute of limitations on felony crimes is five years and that the probe is not closed.

Notre Dame informed the NCAA of the gifts in February and began an internal investigation. School officials then sent their findings to the NCAA for an interpretation of any possible rules violations.

The NCAA found Dunbar was acting as a university representative as a member of the now-disbanded Quarterback Club, found two rules violations and informed the school that it could face sanctions.

Dunbar, who has a child with former Notre Dame player Jarvis Edison, gave 12 former or current players jewelry, clothing and trips, including an outing to a Chicago Bulls game, Notre Dame found.

Barnes said he plans to request a restitution payment of approximately $1 million as part of her sentencing, scheduled for Sept. 28.

Dunbar’s attorney, William Stanley, said that while she didn’t receive a promise of a reduced sentence in return for her plea, she avoided facing further charges.

Dunbar’s guilty plea clears the way for prosecutors to share their records with attorneys for Jerry Dominiack, who owns the South Bend heating and cooling business where Dunbar was employed as a bookkeeper. It also prevents Dunbar from claiming her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in any civil suit.