Broker gave ex-Nebraska players special benefits, robbed them
When Steve Octavien put his trust in a broker back in his college days, he didn't realize he was getting swindled.
Several former Nebraska football players say that a now-convicted financial adviser from Omaha gave them illegal benefits, then stole their money, the Wall Street Journal's Julie Steinberg reports.
In Octavien's case the stockbroker, Mary Wong, paid his rent, cellphone bills, car insurance and other expense while he was in school.
He even entrusted her with $80,000, including his NFL Draft signing bonus with the Dallas Cowboys.
The money vanished shortly thereafter and Wong pleaded guilty in 2010 to fraud. She's now serving out a 63-month prison sentence.
Daniel Bullocks, who played for Nebraska from 2001 to 2005, said financial advisers offered him gifts and cash payments of $5,000 as a student.
He says he never took anything from anyone while enrolled in school.