Pouncey plans to deny allegations on Tuesday

By Adam Silverstein
July 19, 2010

Former Florida Gators center Maurkice Pouncey plans to deny allegations that he accepted $100,000 from the associate of an agent between the 2009 Southeastern Conference Championship and 2010 Sugar Bowl, according to ESPN’s Joe Schad.

Pouncey, who is currently being investigated by the NCAA and University of Florida for a potential rules violation, has “provided phone, bank and credit card statements that do not show large payments,” Schad reports.

The No. 18 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he and his family plan to deny the allegation of accepting an illegal monetary gift on Tuesday.

In an interesting twist, Schad notes that the letter sent to tip off Florida about the 2010 Rimington Trophy winner “contained photographic evidence of an alleged runner for an agent in social situations” and was postmarked in Canada.

A source tells The Miami Herald that a “Lakeland-based ‘runner’ was used in the transaction between Pouncey and the jilted sports agent” who allegedly paid Pouncey $100,000 only to see him sign with Joel Segal of Lagardère Unlimited instead of his firm.

Pouncey also told investigators that a Cadillac Escalade and pieces of jewelry he owns were purchased after the draft with a deferred line of credit, similar to what LeBron James’ mother Gloria received when her son was on his way to the NBA. These possessions were shared with his brother, senior center Mike Pouncey, on occasion.

ProFootballTalk.com adds that “a separate source with knowledge of the Pouncey family tells us that, in the source’s opinion, it’s 99.99 percent likely that the Pounceys did not accept cash or other benefits from an agent before [his] eligibility expired.”

“We were made aware of some information in early June that we reported to law enforcement and we then shared with the NCAA and the SEC,” Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement Monday morning. “At this time we have no information that has indicated that there are any compliance issues for the University of Florida.”

OGGOA will continue updating this story as more information is made available.