Yes, that is an extremely weird headline. Just wait until you read the details.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is in the news through absolutely zero fault of his own. Former Alabama player Luther Davis and his co-conspirator, CJ Evins are in extremely hot water for obtaining nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans by impersonating Penix, Browns tight end David Njoku, and Packers safety Xavier McKinney.
The details, first reported by Daniel Kaplan for The Guardian, are complex and absolutely
bananas.
The alleged scheme involved several stages. First, Davis and Evins would register at the Georgia secretary of state companies with names closely related to the impersonated player’s name or initials, the CI filing said. They would allegedly open bank accounts for these fake companies, and then create fraudulent email accounts that were purportedly used by the players they were impersonating.
They then obtained fake identification documents in the names of the players, including driver’s licenses, the filing outlined. It was at this point they would contact loan brokers. The duo allegedly provided fraudulent documents to these brokers, including fabricated personal financial statements, secretary of state documents and bank statements for companies purportedly operated by the players. To complete the subterfuge, Davis appeared at virtual loan closings disguised as the athlete they were impersonating, often wearing a wig.
Davis apparently had pretty good attention to detail with his disguises, even donning the signature durag to impersonate MPJ.
According to the report, Davis and Evins both plan to plead guilty this month in the northern district of Georgia.
