Laker Draft Pick Charged

PROVIDENCE, R.I. —  Marcus Douthit, a second-round draft pick of the Lakers from Providence, was charged Thursday with taking part in a wide-ranging identity theft and embezzlement scam and pocketing several thousand dollars.

The 125-count indictment unsealed by a statewide grand jury accuses Douthit of participating in a phony car accident as part of a scheme to obtain money from insurance companies, said Michael Healey, spokesman for the state attorney general’s office.

“We are looking into it. We have been in contact with his representatives,” Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said.

Six others have been charged in the alleged scheme.

The indictment says that Douthit was paid $6,500 from money obtained from the false claim in December 2001, and he deposited that money into a Providence bank account.

Douthit has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement and one count of embezzling more than $100.

He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted, Healey said.

The 24-year-old center was on the verge of being offered a guaranteed contract with the Lakers after playing well in a summer league, according to the Providence Journal. He averaged nearly eight points and six rebounds for the Friars last season.

Healey said prosecutors had left messages with Douthit’s agent urging the player to turn himself in.

Providence spokeswoman Pat Vieira said school officials could not comment because they hadn’t seen the indictment in full.

“It all came as a complete surprise to us,” Vieira said.