It figures that within 24 hours after seeing on TBS the Seinfeld episode in which Newman investigates Jerry for mail fraud, a real-life case of mail fraud lands on our radar.
Saints assistant defensive line coach Travis Jones is among 40 people named in a federal indictment relating to “an alleged massive real estate swindle,” according to James Varney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Jones is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, a felony carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Jones’ attorney says his client was a victim of a scam perpetrated by a man named John Barry.
“Mr. Jones, who came to the table with a clean record and perfect credit
was solicited by others to ‘use his credit’ to invest in Texas real
estate,” attorney Jason Kreiss said. “Mr. Jones was ultimately victimized when he was misled into
quitclaiming his property rights and left with mortgages for worthless
property that resulted in foreclosure proceedings.”
If Kreiss is accurate — if this was an investment opportunity gone bad — it makes us wonder whether other current or former members of the organization have gotten caught up in the scam as well, given last year’s rigmarole regarding film company tax credits. In this case, however, the deals allegedly were launched in 2005, when Jones was working for the Dolphins.
Jones joined the Saints in 2008, after three years in Miami. He previously spent two at LSU, two at Kansas, three at Appalachian State, and one at Georgia. He played linebacker for the University, and he was a member of the 1995 Baltimore Stallions of the CFL.
And, of course, he’s a native of Milledgeville, Georgia.
Considering the Saints’ D-Line play the last few years, they may want to investigate him for fraud and misrepresentation as well.
Sounds like they need a new-man for the job.
He sounds like a victim of his own stupidity. Why would you ever let anyone else use your credit?!
Do you mean “indicted” as opposed to “indicated” ? The definition of mail fraud is way too encompassing. Intent is not even needed for a conviction. I’m not sure how it will apply to this case but the law needs to be more definitive.
I was approached by a mortgage broker to do the same thing – use my good credit to buy and get mortgages and then run with the money.
I refused. I could clearly see that this was a scam.
There is NO WAY that Travis Jones did not know this was a scam. He was promised money for doing this and he got money – that is why he was named as a defendant.
He is using the victim card right now. There is no way he did not know this was a scam. This is not a case of identity theft. Unless he’s a certified retart – he knew full well that this was a scam. He probably thought it was a “legal” scam – that is where he is stupid but it was a scam all along.
And, of course, he’s a native of Milledgeville, Georgia.
So that means Big Ben tried to have his way with him in the bathroom?
It is a sad situation for many involved.
Yet for writing a story on this blog it just doesn’t get easier than an indicted champion Saint from Milledgeville GA.
Typical Florio fashion………………….
He previously spent two at LSU, two at Kansas, three at Appalachian State, and one at Georgia. He played linebacker for the University
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Name four schools and say he played for 1.
Writing comprehension would be nice…
Wow, Florio is really addicted to Seinfeld!
By the way things have been going lately I expected this to come out of the Green Bay Packer organization but this comes as a surprise.
Why would you wonder if any members of the Saints’ organization would be involved? He was working for the Dolphins at the time in 2005. There is no connection whatsoever with the film company tax credits situation involving Saints players and coaches, which happened in 2009. Hard to connect the dots on that one.
He’s not indicted “for” – that says he did it. He is indicted “on charges of.”
These charges are in a story by James Varney? Are you kidding me Vern?
Ernest P. Worrell writes for the New Orleans Times Picayune?
“James Varney”? I thought Ernest from the movies died a couple of years back…?
Baltimore Stallions of the CFL? HUH???
Who the hell is providing financial advice to the players and coaches in this organization, Bernie Madoff? Their owner is a well know tightwad, their long snapper has them investing in sham tax credit investments, and now word pops up that a coache is involved in mortgage scams. Maybe they can auction off the Lombardi trophy.
Crime coming out of New Orleans? No way!! That city is such a safe and crime free place! No, wait, I was wrong…
purpleguy says:
March 18, 2010 2:40 PM
Who the hell is providing financial advice to the players and coaches in this organization, Bernie Madoff? Their owner is a well know tightwad, their long snapper has them investing in sham tax credit investments, and now word pops up that a coache is involved in mortgage scams. Maybe they can auction off the Lombardi trophy
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Maybe the Vikings can buy the Lombardi trophy, obiously the only way they will ever posess one.
Don’t worry. The same guys who bought-off the refs in the NFC title game will grease the local DA. Problem solved.
First off, the author needs to get his facts straight……Travis Jones is NOT a native of Milledgeville, GA (Baldwin County). He is a native of McIntyre, GA which is in Wilkinson County. I have personally known Travis ALL of my life and can pretty much guarantee you that he had no knowledge of this scam and did not intentionally scam anyone else. You won’t find a more upstanding man. I hope this gets straightened out soon.