And now, an update from a big story last week: Leon Smith, the former UK Basketball staffer accused of conning pro athletes of nearly $1.3 million, pleaded not guilty this morning in the U.S. District Court in Lexington. Smith’s trial will begin July 18 in Lexington; if found guilty of all charges, he could face more than 30 years in prison.
Smith, a former UK wide receiver and Director of Basketball Opps under Tubby Smith, faces 14 counts, including fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. According to an open records request by the Herald-Leader, UK officials were unhappy with Smith back in 2006 because he ordered $12,000 worth of SEC Championship rings without going through proper purchasing procedures.