[Steeltrap]

Report: Webber plea to scuttle federal trial
By David Shepardson, The Detroit News
DETROIT — Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber will avoid a federal trial on charges of lying to a grand jury by agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge, several people familiar with the arrangements told The Detroit News on Monday.

Under the agreement expected to be announced in court later Monday, Webber, 30, will plead guilty to a single count of criminal contempt of court. All charges against his father, Mayce Webber Jr., will be dismissed.

Webber isn't expected to face any jail time under the agreement, officials said.

Under the plea agreement to be filed in U.S. District Court, Webber will admit to repaying Eddie Martin about $40,000 for money he received while he was a student athlete.

U.S. District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds will have to approve the plea deal and decide whether to treat the contempt of court as a felony or misdemeanor — a key sticking point in negotiations over resolving the case.

Both the government and Webber's lawyer will be able to argue over what they believe is the correct classification, with the government seeking a felony designation and Webber insisting that a misdemeanor is appropriate.

Typically, felony contempt of court is defined as a person who is sentenced to more than a year in prison. Edmunds could sentence Webber to a year and a day and then suspend the sentence — meaning he wouldn't have to serve any time.

Edmunds will also have to decide what amount Webber should be fined. Under federal law, he will be required to pay a small amount in mandatory court fees for pleading guilty.

Webber, 30, a former star basketball player at the University of Michigan and Detroit Country Day, was to stand trial on charges of lying to a grand jury along with his 59-year-old father, Mayce Webber Jr. of Farmington Hills.

Both were charged with making false statements to a grand jury in the summer of 2000 about their dealings with Eddie Martin, a banned U-M booster.

Martin, a retired Ford electrician who worked at the Rouge Engine plant, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and admitted to giving at least $616,000 to four former University of Michigan players, including $280,000 to Webber. He died Feb. 15 while awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors were forced to dismiss all charges against his aunt, Charlene Johnson and drop obstruction of justice charges against Webber and his father as a result of Martin's death.