Indictment Details Payments to Players

Four former Michigan basketball players, including Chris Webber, received more than $600,000 from a booster trying to hide money from an illegal gambling operation, according to records unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

The alleged payments were detailed in charges brought by a federal grand jury against Eddie Martin, 68, a retired Ford Motor Co. electrician, and his wife, Hilda, 72. The couple is accused of running an illegal gambling business and money laundering.

According to the eight-count indictment, Martin loaned money to Webber, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor and Louis Bullock before or while they played at Michigan. Details of the payments and loans could lead to an investigation of rules violations by the NCAA.

The indictment details payments to Webber dating to 1988 when he was a high school player in Detroit. Webber played at Michigan from 1991 to’93. He left the university after his sophomore season and was the top overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. He currently plays for the Sacramento Kings.

The indictment said Martin loaned Webber and members of his family about $280,000 between 1988 and 1993.

Traylor, who played at Michigan from 1995-98, allegedly received loans of about $160,000. Traylor also received loans dating to when he was a high school player in Detroit. Traylor currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets.

Taylor, who played at Michigan from 1995 to ‘97, was allegedly loaned $105,000, and Bullock a Wolverine from 1996 to ‘99, $71,000. Both players received their loans during their playing careers at Michigan. Taylor, a former Clipper, currently plays for the Houston Rockets.