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Former Adidas executive sentenced to 9 months for payments to families of KU recruits

Three men have received prison sentences in the widespread college basketball recruiting scandal that has tainted two dozen schools.

Former Adidas executive James Gatto, business manager Christian Dawkins and amateur league director Merl Code were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October for funneling illegal payments to families of recruits to Louisville, Kansas and North Carolina State.

On Tuesday, Gatto got nine months in prison. Dawkins and Code got six months each.

“I deeply regret my actions,” said Gatto, who was linked to payments made to the families of KU recruits Silvio De Sousa and Billy Preston.