RICHMOND, Va. — The United States Department of Justice announced Sunday that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a former NFL player with embezzlement related to multiple real estate projects, including one in Winston-Salem.
The indictment alleges Christopher A. Harrison 52, "induced and misappropriated loan proceeds intended for the development and construction of" both the Model Tobacco Project in Richmond, Va. and the Whitaker Park Project in Winston-Salem.
According to the indictment, Harrison allegedly secured a loan of over $7 million from Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust for the Whitaker Project. The loan agreement prohibited Harrison from using proceeds to pay himself or for use on personal expenditures.
The indictment alleges Harrison "skimmed loan proceeds" intended for these projects by creating a straw demolition company named Virginia Demolition LLC that had no employees, demolition equipment or office space.
According to the indictment, Harrison then created "forged and falsified" documents that showed that Virginia Demolition had worked on projects. He then allegedly "forged the signature of a separate individual, who Harrison falsely represented was the 'President' of Virginia Demolition LLC."
The indictment alleges Harrison submitted false invoices and lien waivers in draw requests for over $3.6 million. He then allegedly spent some of the proceeds on himself, including over $60,000 in payments made to Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers to buy Rolex watches.
Harrison also allegedly used funds to pay for his home mortgage, landscaping services and tuition and tutoring expenses for his child.
Harrison played football collegiately at the University of Virginia before spending four seasons in the NFL.
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