Ricky Williams' Father In Jail
Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams' father has been charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from a nursing home.
Errick Williams Sr., 41, is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail on a third-degree felony theft charge, according to Harris County prosecutor Terry Jennings.
A check of public records and a conversation with Ricky Williams' mother, Sandra Williams, confirmed the man in jail is the father of the record-breaking Texas running back who will be a top pick in the NFL Draft.
"I've done everything I could do to shield Ricky from this man. At what point do you grow up?" Sandra Williams told the Houston Chronicle. "I'm just totally furious that he would put Ricky in this situation."
Sandra Williams raised Ricky as a single mother and the couple were divorced in September 1983, amid allegations of child abuse leveled at Errick Williams, according to the May 18 issue of Sports Illustrated.
The story also said Errick Williams denied abusing his children and that the famous running back and his father have developed a friendship in recent years.
Attempts to reach Ricky Williams for comment Friday were unsuccessful. A message left with his publicist, Jamey Crimmins, was not returned. Attempts to locate his agent also were unsuccessful.
Ricky Williams' mother said her son would not be commenting on his father's arrest.
An investigator with the Harris County District Attorney's office arrested Errick Williams Thursday.
Jennings said he is accused of stealing roughly $20,700 from the Lexington Place Healthcare Center in Houston between Oct. 20, 1997, and Oct. 20, 1998.
Court documents say Errick Williams, who was working as a housekeeping supervisor at the business, created phony documents and time slips that showed his wife worked with him, Jennings said.
She did not, but the prosecutor said Errick Williams collected paychecks for her and cashed them.
Errick Williams' wife, Patricia Maria Williams, has not been charged, Jennings said.
No court date has been set in the case.
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