Two dozen Fresno State football players tied to welfare fraud
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- As many as two dozen football players from Fresno State University have been implicated in a welfare fraud investigation involving a county Department of Social Services worker accused of filing for false benefits for them and others.
It's the latest in a series of problems that have plagued the university's athletic department over the decades.
The social services eligibility specialist was arrested last month by an investigator with the Fresno County District Attorney's Office but has not been charged. University officials have declined to comment beyond a written statement, saying they don't want to impede the investigation.
"It's an ongoing investigation out of the DA's office. We don't comment on ongoing investigations, and that's what we're standing on," said Paul Ladwid, assistant athletic director, who was reached in Nebraska, where the Bulldogs are scheduled to play Saturday.
The allegations involve members of the 2010 squad, and many are still on the team this year. The university said in its written statement that "violations of the Code of Conduct did occur and punitive actions have been levied upon a number of current student-athletes."
The athletes could face additional penalties once the investigation is complete.
School officials would not say how many implicated students are on the 2011 team, nor would they describe the scope of the punishment.
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University officials said the NCAA and the Western Athletic Conference had been notified of the allegations and that, "
There is no indication whatsoever that any NCAA violation has occurred." The NCAA did not return telephone calls or respond to email inquiries.
