LANSING, Mich. — Former Nuggets forward and Michigan State star Jay Vincent was sentenced Friday to more than five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $110,000 to the Internal Revenue Service for his part in a fraud case involving thousands of people who paid to become certified home inspectors.
Prosecutors said Vincent, 52, and an associate defrauded 20,000 people out of more than $1 million by charging them to become inspectors through a business called Foreclosure Bank Inspection. No inspectors were hired, and the business had no contracts with banks, according to the government.
Vincent, who played for the Nuggets during the 1987-88 season and the first five games of the following season, pleaded guilty to fraud and tax charges nearly a year ago. He apologized in federal court in Grand Rapids, Mich., for his actions.
U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker sentenced Vincent to 5 1/2 years on a mail fraud charge involving the victims and three years on a tax fraud charge. The sentences are to run concurrently. Under federal law, Vincent could be eligible for time off for good behavior that could slightly reduce his sentence. Three other mail fraud charges were dismissed. The judge also ordered the $110,408 payment to the IRS.
