Former Alabama Football Star to Plead Guilty in Elaborate $20 Million Loan Fraud
A former University of Alabama national champion, Luther Davis, is set to plead guilty later this month for masterminding a sophisticated scheme that defrauded lenders of nearly $20 million by impersonating high-profile NFL players. The case, detailed by the US attorney for the northern district of Georgia, reveals a brazen operation involving disguises, fake companies, and forged documents.
Details of the Alleged Scam and Impersonated Players
According to court filings, Davis, along with his partner CJ Evins, secured at least thirteen fraudulent loans totalling more than $19,845,000. The criminal information document highlights three specific loans worth $11.6 million, where Davis allegedly impersonated NFL stars. These include a $4.025 million loan from Aliya Sports by posing as former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, a $4.35 million loan also from Aliya Sports by impersonating Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney, and a $3.3 million loan through All Pro Capital Funding by mimicking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The players themselves are not implicated in the scheme, having had their identities stolen without their knowledge.
How the Fraud Was Executed
The alleged scam unfolded in multiple stages, starting around May 2023 and continuing through October 2024. Davis and Evins first registered companies in Georgia with names closely linked to the impersonated players' initials or names. They then opened bank accounts for these entities and created fraudulent email accounts to mimic the athletes. Fake identification documents, including driver's licenses, were obtained to bolster the deception.
At virtual loan closings, Davis reportedly wore wigs, makeup, and even a durag to disguise himself as the NFL players. For instance, during a closing for the Njoku loan in January 2024, he provided a fake Georgia driver's license with a photo of Njoku but a license number belonging to a woman from Savannah. Similar tactics were used for the McKinney and Penix loans, with Davis presenting fabricated IDs to notaries.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
Both Davis and Evins have notified the court of their intention to plead guilty, with a hearing scheduled for 27 April. They face charges of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the latter carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Evins is described as the founder of Deed Chasers LLC, which served as the registered agent for companies tied to the fraud.
This case mirrors other incidents, such as a separate lawsuit where First Farmers Bank & Trust sued an insurer over a $5.265 million loan fraudulently obtained in Njoku's name, also brokered by Sure Sports. The steps outlined in that lawsuit align closely with the Georgia cases, though it's unclear if it's among the thirteen loans mentioned.
Background of the Accused
Luther Davis was a notable recruit under coach Nick Saban at Alabama, playing for the Crimson Tide for four years and contributing to their 2010 national championship victory. His fall from grace underscores the serious consequences of financial crimes in the sports world. Aliya Sports and Sure Sports, involved in brokering the loans, have declined to comment or did not respond to requests.
