Paniro named in ISU gambling probe

[wrestlingfan22]

Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers accused of betting on ISU sports, including football

Hunter Dekkers faces the potential loss of permanent eligibility with gambling allegations made public Tuesday.

www.desmoinesregister.com

 

[Ian]

When will the Hawkeyes be charged?

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Well, Johnson is ****ed if the numbers are correct.

“The DraftKings account controlled by Johnson placed wagers totaling $45,640 on approximately 1,283 bets, according to the complaint. Johnson, a Big 12 Conference champion at 149 pounds last season, placed approximately 25 bets on Iowa State events, authorities allege.”

 

[BigFella235]

@smalls103 is hearing it’s all bunk

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

It's not inaccurate reporting since he's been charged, but he's a wrestler, how can he get in trouble for betting on football?

 

[AndEEss]

STORY - CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT
Defendant: PANIRO JOHNSON
CASE NO.: 2023009066
Page 3 of 4
e) Wagering by individuals under 21 years of age
In early 2023, an investigation initiated by agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) uncovered evidence of PANIRO JOHNSON conducting illicit wagering activities on the Draftings sportsbook platform. PANIRO JOHNSON was a wrestler at Iowa State University during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 wrestling seasons
PANIRO JOHNSON engaged in a scheme with THESHA FREEMAN enabling JOHNSON to disguise his identity and manipulate online/mobile transactions in order to create the appearance that sports wager transactions conducted by JOHNSON were made by FREEMAN.
This deception enabled PANIRO JOHNSON to conceal his unlawful gambling activities from law
enforcement and other regulatory bodies.
His actions contravened various legal and regulatory frameworks, including:
A)
Underage Gambling: PANIRO JOHNSON placed wagers while underage, in violation of Iowa's gambling laws. He employed a proxy account registered in the name of an individual who was over the legal age of 21.
JOHNSON does not turn 21 until 2024.
B)
Violation of licensed Sportsbook User Terms and Conditions: PANIRO JOHNSON'S wagers on DraftKings also violated the platform's User's Terms, as well as rules and regulations administered by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. DraftKings explicitly prohibits individuals from signing up for an account while underage or
utilizing the service under another's name.
C)
Breach of University and NCAA Policies: PANIRO JOHNSON'S use of an account associated with a non-athlete individual allowed him to circumvent scrutiny and sidestep university and NCAA policies regarding student-athlete sports wagering conduct. By using the identity of another, JOHNSON was able to avoid detection and the potential consequences of participation in prohibited activity.
D)
Unfair Wagering and Conflict of Interest: PANIRO JOHNSON placed bets on Iowa State University athletic events, including games and events sponsored by the NCAA and university. This raised concerns regarding unfair wagering advantages, potential access to insider knowledge of athletic participants, and the potential for collusion-
related activities.
Tax Implications: PANIRO JOHNSON'S fraudulent activities also shielded him from potential state and federal tax implications. By concealing his identity during his sports wagering transactions, any tax responsibilities
would fall on the stand-in's name listed on the account.
When placing wagers on the DraftKings platform, an individually unique "Bet Ticket ID" digital record is generated. This number is utilized by Draftings to distinguish one wager from all others. Each wager placed by JOHNSON generated a "Bet Ticket ID" digital record. Each "Bet Ticket ID" digital record identified below correspond to a specific timestamped wager placed by JOHNSON. The "Bet Ticket ID's" listed are not all inclusive of JOHNSON's sports wagering activity; however, they all meet the following conditions:
<ol> <li> Wagers routinely and consistently placed from PANIRO JOHNSON's personal iPhone. </li> <li> Wagering transactions that required possession of PANIRO JOHNSON'S protected iPhone to unlock and access his </li></ol> Draitkings account using a specific username and password.
3) Corresponded to PANIRO JOHNSON'S known locations, including his university residence and areas.

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

Thanks for the above.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

It's not inaccurate reporting since he's been charged, but he's a wrestler, how can he get in trouble for betting on football?

Besides the charging docs above, regarding the NCAA it’s more that he’s betting on his school’s team. The thinking is likely that you might have material, inside info given you’re around athletes from your school (not just your own sport). That’s a huge no-no. (Edit - I see that rationale is covered in @AndEEss post)

Those charging docs really present a very dicey problem with all this new money in athlete hands through NiL - young, immature kids having no clue about the shitstorm you face if you practice illegal tax avoidance (differentiated from the legal tax avoidance practiced by your billionaires and such with access to competent tax attorneys)

 

[AndEEss]

It’s more that he’s betting on his school’s team. The thinking is likely that you might have material, inside info given you’re around athletes from your school (not just your own sport). That’s a huge no-no.

Plus the multi-part conspiracy/intent to evade taxes.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Plus the multi-part conspiracy/intent to evade taxes.

Yeah - was editing as I read your post closely and saw that. Yikes!

 

[El-Jefe]

Besides the charging docs above, regarding the NCAA it’s more that he’s betting on his school’s team. The thinking is likely that you might have material, inside info given you’re around athletes from your school (not just your own sport). That’s a huge no-no. (Edit - I see that rationale is covered in @AndEEss post)

Those charging docs really present a very dicey problem with all this new money in athlete hands through NiL - young, immature kids having no clue about the shitstorm you face if you practice illegal tax avoidance (differentiated from the legal tax avoidance practiced by your billionaires and such with access to competent tax attorneys)

Thesha Freeman is Paniro's mom -- so much for the "young and dumb" excuse.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Thesha Freeman is Paniro's mom -- so much for the "young and dumb" excuse.

Oh God.

Would have been really funny if it was His Lordship and Lar who cooked up such a scheme

 

[El-Jefe]

Oh God.

Would have been really funny if it was His Lordship and Lar who cooked up such a scheme

Or Mike Amine placing bets under the bleachers.

 

[AndEEss]

The criminal complaint:

https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/redacted-johnson-64c995095e416.pdf

 

[tikk10]

I don't know what the likely sentence here would be but Tampering With Records is an aggravated misdemeanor per the Iowa criminal code. The entire charge is basically that he (a) was underage and (b) actually used Draft Kings under his mother's account.

The parts of the indictment mentioning insider info and tax evasion I believe only raise those issues to support the basis for the indictment (i.e., why the tampering charge matters as a matter of public policy), not to suggest that any of that actually occurred here. Prosecutors don't have to prove that those things happened. But I suppose the IRS will be flagged to follow up if he (or his mother) did make money and not report it.

 

[nitlion6]

Just a thought. If the crime is underage gambling on a parent's legal gambling account I would be hopeful law enforcement would have better things to do on the public dime.

 

[El-Jefe]

Oh God.

Would have been really funny if it was His Lordship and Lar who cooked up such a scheme

Cathy Lee tears up the betting sheet on live national TV.

 

[TheRealSmee]

Just a thought. If the crime is underage gambling on a parent's legal gambling account I would be hopeful law enforcement would have better things to do on the public dime.

Well, the United States incarcerates a larger share of its population than any other country for which data is available. So, gotta keep up the image!

 

[GogglesPaizano]

Admit it. We are all bummed the most, because this weakens Iowa State's chances of beating the Hawkeyes in the dual. The Hawks of course have already replaced all of their offenders in the lineup.

 

[GantryZ]

Swiderski is moving up to 149, so there's going to be little-to-no dropoff anyway for ISU if Paniro doesn't go this year.

 

[NittanyChris]

Happily anticipating the hammer drop on some Hawkeyes. 😃

 

[amattaro]

Plus the multi-part conspiracy/intent to evade taxes.

This is an admirable act, as far as I am concerned.

 

[El-Jefe]

I'd be pretty upset today if I were an ISU fan. ISU is likely losing their starting QB. Iowa, their (backup?) kicker.

(No Iowa wrestlers named in the article.)

Aaron Blom accused of underage sports wagering, including bet on Iowa football

University of Iowa football player Aaron Blom faces a charge of tampering with records as a result of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s sports gambling investigation.

www.thegazette.com

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Admit it. We are all bummed the most, because this weekens Iowa State's chances of beating the Hawkeyes in the dual. The Hawks of course have already replaced all of their offenders in the lineup.

I think Iowa is going to get hit harder than ISU in wrestling.

 

[PAHURDLER]

Happily anticipating the hammer drop on some Hawkeyes. 😃

Per Christian Pyles on FRL this morning, it’s likely going to be very ugly for Iowa.

 

[GogglesPaizano]

Per Christian Pyles on FRL this morning, it’s likely going to be very ugly for Iowa.

Rumor is they have already filled most of the impending holes. It seems to make sense. Time will tell. The wheels of NCAA justice move slowly.

 

[anon_d29z1jdixxwey]

View embedded media

@smalls103 is hearing it’s all bunk

So I’m confused. What % of Willie’s tweet is accurate?

 

[Rocky_Smith]

So I’m confused. What % of Willie’s tweet is accurate?

83%

 

[82bordeaux]

So I’m confused. What % of Willie’s tweet is accurate?

I believe Willie's source (who is pretty much an impeccable source) did not have all the information at the time he communicated with Willie.
Since that time I think Willie and the source have come to realize that Paniro may be in deeper do-do than first thought.

 

[anon_d29z1jdixxwey]

I believe Willie's source (who is pretty much an impeccable source) did not have all the information at the time he communicated with Willie.
Since that time I think Willie and the source have come to realize that Paniro may be in deeper do-do than first thought.

Just bugs me that one of the (supposed) pre-eminent voices in this cottage industry proclaims the news is 100% inaccurate and it turns out that his reporting is 100% inaccurate.

I also think that the at the correct spelling of do-do is doo-doo.

 

[82bordeaux]

Just bugs me that one of the (supposed) pre-eminent voices in this cottage industry proclaims the news is 100% inaccurate and it turns out that his reporting is 100% inaccurate.

I also think that the at the correct spelling of do-do is doo-doo.

You can't really blame him in this case. He had a conversation with a direct player in the mess. The direct player in the mess did not have all the facts, although he believed 100% he did. What else can someone in his position do? He spoke to someone he trusted would have all the facts and he tweeted (or X-ed) what he had. Willie often speaks in absolutes and is unapologetic about it. What you see is what you get.
I take all the blame for misspelling doo-doo.

 

[ss7]

You can't really blame him in this case. He had a conversation with a direct player in the mess. The direct player in the mess did not have all the facts, although he believed 100% he did. What else can someone in his position do? He spoke to someone he trusted would have all the facts and he tweeted (or X-ed) what he had. Willie often speaks in absolutes and is unapologetic about it. What you see is what you get.
I take all the blame for misspelling doo-doo.

I think this is why journalists typically don't report things from single sources. Because those single sources can be wrong.

 

[AndEEss]

You can't really blame him in this case. He had a conversation with a direct player in the mess. The direct player in the mess did not have all the facts, although he believed 100% he did. What else can someone in his position do? He spoke to someone he trusted would have all the facts and he tweeted (or X-ed) what he had. Willie often speaks in absolutes and is unapologetic about it. What you see is what you get.
I take all the blame for misspelling doo-doo.

Why would Willie believe that a wrestling coach would have all of the facts, particularly pertaining to what the NCAA might decide to do? How could Dresser have any clue as to what the local DA had knowledge of, or had planned? Dresser can say that Paniro is in the clear all day long and twice on Sunday, but as it turns out, Kevin Dresser is not the authority on legal matters in that local jurisdiction.

Willie has a very bad problem with trusting single sources. On Intermat, he regularly posts easily and readily refuted things on the off-topic forum. He'll go with whatever Twitter source of ill repute is currently on his phone's screen and do absolutely no third party verification of anything, at all.

 

[anon_d29z1jdixxwey]

You can't really blame him in this case. He had a conversation with a direct player in the mess. The direct player in the mess did not have all the facts, although he believed 100% he did. What else can someone in his position do? He spoke to someone he trusted would have all the facts and he tweeted (or X-ed) what he had. Willie often speaks in absolutes and is unapologetic about it. What you see is what you get.
I take all the blame for misspelling doo-doo.

I am going to respectfully disagree. But to show you how much I'm bothered by this, I will tell you that I'm more bothered by your egregious misspelling of doo-doo.

While I'm sensitive to everything you write, in today's environment, journalists HAVE to be right. I understand oops and sorry, but if you're a voice, you've GOT to be right. What if I took Willie's tweet (or X) and bet $10K on Paniro to win the national championship at 149?

 

[anon_d29z1jdixxwey]

I just re-read the tweet (or X), and I'll give Willie a slight break. The tweet (or X) does say that "the program says..." and "they (the program) told me..." So he's attributing the information to the program. I still indirectly read it as Willie's endorsement of what the program says and that he's "scooping" all of us.

 

[PSUwrestling]

Just a thought. If the crime is underage gambling on a parent's legal gambling account I would be hopeful law enforcement would have better things to do on the public dime.

A very large amen to that.

 

[82bordeaux]

What if I took Willie's tweet (or X) and bet $10K on Paniro to win the national championship at 149?

Then I would seriously question your screen name's veracity.

 

[APSPSUwrestlingfan]

I just re-read the tweet (or X), and I'll give Willie a slight break. The tweet (or X) does say that "the program says..." and "they (the program) told me..." So he's attributing the information to the program. I still indirectly read it as Willie's endorsement of what the program says and that he's "scooping" all of us.

Willie didn't have the straight Poop.

 

[mjmirv]

I don’t think Willie needs burned at the stake, but when it comes to legal issues, it’s best to not comment/tweet any absolutes. Especially if you are a journalist.

I genuinely hope Paniro gets to wrestle in college again.. It’s clear the NCAA (and professional leagues) need to change the way they handle gambling. Betting on your own team or league/ncaa is an absolute no no. If you’re old enough, you should be able to gamble on everything else.

 

[Ja1339]

A very large amen to that.

Just a thought. If the crime is underage gambling on a parent's legal gambling account I would be hopeful law enforcement would have better things to do on the public dime.

Seconded…..but raise your hand if you’d be ok with law enforcement spending the public dime tracking down Hawkeye violators ✋