cardjim
Bench Warmer
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. - Former New York Giants receiver Mark Ingram was sentenced Tuesday to more than seven years in prison for bank fraud and money laundering. It's a third term behind bars for the player who starred in the 1991 Super Bowl.
The 42-year-old Ingram also was ordered in Long Island federal court to pay $252,000 in restitution. He is free on $200,000 bail until Dec. 5.
He said the criminal record he has had since his 1996 retirement is "not who I am."
"It hurts me to my core," Ingram said. "I made mistakes."
Ingram pleaded guilty in November 2005 to laundering money he believed to be proceeds from narcotics deals and to bank fraud for cashing counterfeit checks.
His sentencing was delayed as he tried to revoke the plea, fired several court-appointed attorneys and made what prosecutors termed "outlandish" legal arguments, including a claim that he was immune from prosecution because he enjoyed diplomatic status as a head of state.
He said he counsels troubled youths, volunteers with various charities and understands that his football feats make him a role model.
U.S. District Court Judge Denis R. Hurley noted the "dedication and commitment" Ingram had shown on the football field but also his record, which includes seven previous convictions and goes back 23 years.
"He is like many of us: multifaceted," Hurley said as he sentenced Ingram to 92 months in prison and up to five years of probation.
Ingram is best remembered for eluding five tackles to make a key first down during the '91 Super Bowl in which the Giants beat Buffalo.
Ingram also played for the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
The 42-year-old Ingram also was ordered in Long Island federal court to pay $252,000 in restitution. He is free on $200,000 bail until Dec. 5.
He said the criminal record he has had since his 1996 retirement is "not who I am."
"It hurts me to my core," Ingram said. "I made mistakes."
Ingram pleaded guilty in November 2005 to laundering money he believed to be proceeds from narcotics deals and to bank fraud for cashing counterfeit checks.
His sentencing was delayed as he tried to revoke the plea, fired several court-appointed attorneys and made what prosecutors termed "outlandish" legal arguments, including a claim that he was immune from prosecution because he enjoyed diplomatic status as a head of state.
He said he counsels troubled youths, volunteers with various charities and understands that his football feats make him a role model.
U.S. District Court Judge Denis R. Hurley noted the "dedication and commitment" Ingram had shown on the football field but also his record, which includes seven previous convictions and goes back 23 years.
"He is like many of us: multifaceted," Hurley said as he sentenced Ingram to 92 months in prison and up to five years of probation.
Ingram is best remembered for eluding five tackles to make a key first down during the '91 Super Bowl in which the Giants beat Buffalo.
Ingram also played for the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
