Feds seek ex-NFL player's pension for charity restitution

Feds seek ex-NFL player's pension for charity restitution

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:38 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND (AP) Federal prosecutors say former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Reggie Rucker owes more than $110,000 for stealing from two charities, and they want to garnish his earnings from the NFL for restitution.

Cleveland.com (http://bit.ly/2m2XmMw ) reports that could include his pension and any money he might receive from a nearly $1 billion class-action settlement that the NFL agreed to pay to athletes who suffered concussions. Players have months to submit claims in that settlement.

Rucker's attorney says the imprisoned 69-year-old intends to use settlement money as restitution.

Rucker was sentenced to 21 months for using money from two charities to pay gambling debts and personal expenses.

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One of his attorneys has blamed those actions on a gambling addiction and football-related brain injuries. Prosecutors scoffed at that argument.

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Information from: cleveland.com, http://www.cleveland.com

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