Ex-NBA star Walker sentenced to probation
Former NBA star Antoine Walker was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation for failing to repay about
$1 million in gambling debts owed to three Las Vegas casinos.
Both Walker, who appeared in District Court wearing jeans and a hooded shirt, and his lawyer declined to comment. He did say that after the hearing, he was heading straight to the airport.
Walker, 35, pleaded guilty in June to one felony count of passing a bad check. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped two other counts of passing bad checks.
Judge Valorie Vega ordered Walker to pay more than $750,000 in restitution to the casinos. Another stipulation to his probation prohibits him from gambling.
Vega warned Walker to be vigilant against gambling because casino surveillance systems are always watching.
Authorities said that between July 2008 and January 2009, Walker was given $1 million in markers from Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and Red Rock Resort and failed to pay them back, according to court records.
Under state law, an unpaid marker is treated as a bad check, which allows the district attorney’s office to prosecute.
Walker last year filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, scuttling a promise he made in 2009 to a Las Vegas justice of the peace to pay restitution to the casinos, plus court fees and penalties to the district attorney’s office. His filing reported
$12.7 million in liabilities and $4.3 million in assets, including his championship ring.
Walker played for four NBA teams during his 13 seasons in the league and helped the Miami Heat win a championship in 2006. He has not played in the league since 2008. According to media reports, his salary over that time totaled more than $105 million.
Walker most recently played professional basketball in Puerto Rico.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
