NBA All-Star Chris Gatling gets jail for Arizona telemarketing scam

PHOENIX — Former NBA All-Star Chris Gatling was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison after authorities said he ran a telemarketing scam that bilked more than $150,000 from his victims.

According to a press release, Gatling sold fake websites and promised his victims a return of thousands of dollars if they went into business with him. None of the victims received a website or any profits from their investments.

Gatling took more than $155,000 from his victims over a period from October 2014 to February 2015, the press release said.

In October 2016, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office indicted Gatling on charges of fraudulent schemes and artifices, fraudulent schemes and practices and forgery.

Police said Gatling spent the money on clothes, shoes, restaurants and strip clubs.

“I think folks need to be weary that when something is too good to be true, it usually is,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

“Just because somebody is a former NBA player or a former NBA All-Star, doesn’t mean they are trustworthy. I think its really despicable that someone can use their fame to take advantage of folks.”

As part of his sentence, the former NBA player will be required to pay $167,000 in restitution to the victims in the case. He also must serve three years of probation after his prison sentence.

The fraud scam case is not the first time Gatling has been in trouble with the law.

In 2013, Gatling pleaded guilty to charges he squatted at a Paradise Valley home from July 2010 to August 2011.

The power forward was drafted by the Golden State Warriors before the 1991-92 season and last played for the Miami Heat in 2001-02. He has career averages of 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

KTAR News’ Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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