Football
Associated Press 21y

Government prepared to go forward with case

DETROIT -- Chris Webber will still face trial in July
despite the death of a Michigan booster who was to have been a star
witness for federal authorities.

The prosecution of the NBA star will go forward, U.S. attorney's
office spokeswoman Gina Balaya said Wednesday.

"The government will be prepared," Balaya said.

Former Michigan booster Ed Martin admitted he gave $616,000 to
Webber and other former Wolverine basketball players while they
were in high school and college. Martin, who died Friday at 69,
said the money came from an illegal lottery.

Martin was allowed to plead guilty to reduced charges in
exchange for leniency and agreeing to help prosecutors. He said he
gave $280,000 to Webber.

Webber lawyer Steve Fishman of Detroit declined comment. The
29-year-old forward for the Sacramento Kings has denied taking
anything of significant value from Martin.

Webber, his father, Mayce, and aunt Charlene Johnson, 50, were
indicted in September on charges of obstruction of justice and
lying to a federal grand jury in Detroit in 2000.

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