National Football League

Ex-NFL player admits fraud

Published Oct. 7, 2011 10:22 a.m. ET

foxsports

A former National Football League player and Mississippi businessman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges, admitting he used investors' money for a planned resort area in China and to buy himself a luxury van, boat and other items.

Electronic court records show 48-year-old Jeffrey L. Walker pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Jackson. He remains free pending his Dec. 20 sentencing.

Walker, an offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints in the late 1980s, admitted to two of 12 charges. The others will be dismissed.

Walker -- accused of fraudulently obtaining at least $2.2 million from investors in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida and Arizona -- faces up to 23 years in prison, but will likely get less time under federal sentencing guidelines.