Financially troubled Walker facing trial

June 15, 2010|Associated Press

A judge yesterday ordered former Celtics All-Star Antoine Walker to face trial on felony bad check charges that allege he failed to repay almost $1 million in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos.

Walker, 33, said nothing as he appeared with his lawyer, Jonathan Powell, before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson. He remains free without bail until his June 30 arraignment in state court.

The judge noted that Walker hadn’t made any progress repaying some $770,000 he owes on a promise last November to pay $905,050 in restitution, court fees, and penalties. At the time, Walker forfeited toward that amount the $135,000 cash bail he posted following his arrest at a celebrity golf tournament last July in Lake Tahoe.

Andress-Tobiasson bound Walker over for trial in Clark County District Court on three criminal bad check charges that, combined, could get him probation or send him to prison for up to 12 years if he’s convicted.

Bernie Zadrowski, head of the Clark County district attorney’s bad check unit, said outside court that Walker’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing last month in Florida complicated the Las Vegas criminal case. The prosecutor said he and Powell were still negotiating toward resolving the Nevada case without sending Walker to prison.

Walker’s bankruptcy filing claims $12.7 million in liabilities and $4.3 million in assets.

Walker hasn’t played in the NBA since 2008 but played briefly in Puerto Rico during the 2009-10 season.

Wade wants to stay

Speaking from TD Garden Sunday night, where he watched Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Dwyane Wade told ESPN.com he wants to remain with the Heat and have a star free agent join him after July 1. “I want to be in Miami. That’s where it starts,’’ Wade said. “I’ll gauge and see if guys want to be [in Miami], who wants to be with me.’’ . . . One of the top free agents, Joe Johnson, is being wooed by a new coach, but his same team. During his introductory media conference, Larry Drew said his hiring “should be a plus’’ in getting Johnson to return to the Hawks. “I’m a guy who’s already been in here, who already knows the players, who already has a feel for the team,’’ Drew said. “The things I’m talking about putting in are going to enhance Joe’s game even more.’’ Johnson was the only prominent Atlanta player who didn’t show for Drew’s introduction.

No word from Izzo

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