Sentencing delayed for ex-NFL wide receiver in charity theft

CLEVELAND (AP) A federal court judge has delayed the sentencing of a former NFL wide receiver who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from his charities to finance his gambling debts and personal expenses.

Cleveland.com reports (http://bit.ly/29cyAou ) that attorneys for 68-year-old Reggie Rucker argued that they needed more time to produce medical records that might prove that the former Cleveland Browns player's history of concussions spurred the thefts.

The judge had a conference call Wednesday with prosecutors and the defense team and agreed to an Aug. 3 sentencing date. The Warrensville Heights man faces about two years in prison.

Defense attorneys say they believe repeated hits to the head that Rucker sustained during his 13-year National Football League career could explain why he took the money from his nonviolence nonprofits.

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Information from: cleveland.com, http://www.cleveland.com