Falcons WR Faces Arraignment

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 8, 1999 / 3:56 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Eight days after playing in the Super Bowl, Atlanta Falcons receiver Tony Martin was charged in federal court Monday with money laundering and conspiracy stemming from his longtime friendship with a drug dealer.

Martin, the Falcons' leading receiver, was brought to court in manacles and released on $250,000 bond. He will be arraigned Feb. 16.

The charges stem from his relationship with Rickey Brownlee, a convicted drug dealer known as "the mayor of Opa-locka." The two met some 15 years ago while Martin, now 33, was a student at Miami Northwestern High School.

Martin's lead attorney, Roy Black, released a statement saying the receiver "vigorously denies the allegation. Tony never intended to commit any crime. He will aggressively litigate this case in federal court."

Johnnie Cochran, who represented O.J. Simpson at his murder trial, will serve on Martin's defense team.

Martin had been under investigation for months. But his name just appeared Monday on the third superseding indictment in the case, which also involves cocaine and heroin trafficking.

Martin is not accused of involvement in Brownlee's drug business. Prosecutors said he wrote checks to lease luxury cars and pay legal fees for his friend because Brownlee's lawyers wouldn't take cash.

Falcons coach Dan Reeves had no comment on the case, according to team spokesman Charlie Taylor. Martin caught five passes in the Falcons' 34-19 loss to Denver in Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31.

"We're working with the NFL and the Martins to see what's going to come of it," Taylor said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league was aware of the case but had no further comment.

Brownlee, who spent seven years in prison for 1980s drug convictions, was charged a year ago with seven counts of heroin and cocaine trafficking. He allegedly gave cash to Martin for deposits on the cars and the attorneys' fees.

Tony Martin is not being accused of any drug involvement. (AP)

At the time of his arrest, Brownlee was driving a Mercedes leased in Martin's name, the U.S. attorney's office has said.

After his financial records were subpoenaed, Martin stopped payment on a $175,000 check to Brownlee's attorneys and showed a copy of the subpoena to Brownlee's associates, according to the indictment.

Black said Martin was being punished for maintaining ties to the people he grew up with in Liberty City, an innercity neighborhood in Miami.

"Despite attaining financial success, Tony has never forgotten his roots," Black said in his statement. "He has remained loyal and loving to his family and friends, who provided emotional support and encouragement as he confronted many obstacles. "

"When neighborhood friend Rickey Brownlee was arrested last year on federal charges, Tony Martin did not turn a blind eye to him. Rather, Tony agreed to help pay attorney's fees for Brownlee's defense. That financial transaction is the mainstay of the government's money laundering allegation."

Black said his client "never imagined that providing financial assistance to a neighborhood friend could be construed as a crime."

In a Jan. 6 interview, Martin insisted he was no longer a target of the investigation.

"It was just speculation," he said at the time. "It wasn't even true. Really, it was just garbage. I knew in my mind that I didn't have anything to worry about."

Martin also returned thousands in cash in an effort to conceal the scheme, prosecutors allege.

"This is a serious charge," Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron DeWaard said in asking for a $1 million bond. "Given Mr. Martin makes almost $2 million a year, there needs to be a bond with some bite in it."

Black argued against the high bond by pointing out the receiver is a public figure.

"I cannot see any circumstance in which he would not respond to the indictment and would forfeit his income," Black said.

Martin, who surrendered voluntarily Monday morning, sat in the jury box with other prisoners. His father, Harold, also was present and both signed the bond.

After his appearance, Martin was fingerprinted and photographed. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Garber ordered him to check in with pretrial services once a week by phone and inform that office before traveling. He must remain in the continental United States.

Martin, acquired by the Falcons from San Diego in a trade last June, led Atlanta with 66 catches for 1,181 yards and six touchdowns this season. He added nine receptions for 192 yards in the playoffs as the Falcons reached their first Super Bowl. Martin teamed with Terance Mathis to give the Falcons the NFL's second-most productive pair of receivers in terms of yardage.

He began his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins but came to prominence in San Diego, where he averaged 72 catches and 1,046 yards in four seasons with the Chargers.

Martin is the second Falcons player to face legal trouble in Miami in recent weeks. Pro Bowl safety Eugene Robinson was arrested the night before the Super Bowl on charges of soliciting oral sex from an undercover police officer.