Date set for plea deal in fraud case

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A judge has scheduled a hearing where a former Ohio man is expected to plead guilty to fraud charges that include related allegations he cheated Miami Heat basketball players out of millions of dollars.

A 135-count indictment filed last year described a scheme under which Haider Zafar purportedly swindled a Washington, D.C., businessman out of $10 million between 2008 and 2010.

A witness who testified against Zafar in August alleged Zafar also defrauded Heat players, including former forward Mike Miller.

Federal Judge Edmund Sargus on Friday scheduled a Feb. 13 plea hearing for Zafar.

Zafar indicated last month he planned to plead guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and tax-evasion charges.

Zafar’s plea deal includes his willingness to resolve a possible federal investigation in Florida.