Edelstein Indicted on Fraud

Fred Edelstein, an editor of a weekly NFL newsletter and a former television commentator, reportedly has been indicted by federal officials on charges that he fraudulently obtained more than $945,000 from 11 people.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Edelstein, 49, was charged with five counts of wire fraud and faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison and a fine of $1.25 million.

Among the people alleged to have been bilked by Edelstein was former Philadelphia Eagle linebacker Bill Bergey, who gave Edelstein a total of about $97,500.

The prosecutor on the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney William B. Carr Jr., said Edelstein obtained the money by telling people fraudulent stories about low-risk investment opportunities and that he promised rapid returns.

Edelstein released a statement through his attorney and said he is cooperating with authorities.

“If I have hurt anyone, I am sorry and I will do what I can to make things right,” he said.

Jim Miller is expected to miss two weeks because of a strained left hamstring, hurting his chances of being the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback.

Miller had an MRI exam Saturday as a precautionary measure after being hurt Friday in the second practice of training camp at Platteville, Wis.

Miller tore his Achilles’ tendon in November, had surgery and had spent long hours rehabbing during the off-season.

He had hoped to battle Cade McNown and Shane Matthews for the starter’s job during an open competition in camp.

The Oakland Raiders signed top draft pick Derrick Gibson in time for their first training camp practice at Napa.

Gibson, the 28th selection overall, will play strong safety. At Florida State he played strong and free safety.

Terms of the agreement were not released.

Missing for the first day of practice was Pro Bowl guard Steve Wisniewski, 34, who was considering his future at home in Southern California.

The 13-year veteran has started 190 of the 192 games he has appeared in since 1989.

The Pittsburgh Steelers reached an agreement with first-round pick Casey Hampton. The Steelers are only the third NFL team to sign all of its draft picks in the off-season. Terms of the deal were not announced.

Hampton, a nose tackle from Texas selected 19th overall, is only the third first-round pick to sign, along with Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick, the No. 1 selection, and the Raiders’ Gibson.

Talks with the remaining top picks have been stalled because of language in the collective bargaining agreement. That agreement has been extended, but not yet approved by the players’ union and league owners.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed punter David Leaverton, a fifth-round draft pick out of Tennessee, to a three-year, $1-million contract that includes a $108,500 signing bonus.