Share this @internewscast.com

A former University of Texas tennis coach who spent six months in prison for a college admission scandal that implicated others — including “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin — revealed on Thursday that he was placed on suicide watch while incarcerated.

Michael Center told “Good Morning America” that he did not realize he was committing a crime in 2015 when he accepted a $100,000 bribe from William Rick Singer in order to get the son of a venture capitalist accepted to the University of Texas. The college said they did not identify any other student who was implicated in the scheme, according to the Daily Mail.

“I’m not saying I was perfect but I never imagined that I was committing a crime, that I would go to prison, that I would carry a felony,” Center commented.

The ex-college tennis coach also claimed he was placed on suicide watch — with a prison guard allegedly saying he “didn’t want another Jeffrey Epstein.”

In February 2020, Center pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his involvement in the $25 million scheme, which prosecutors said involved sports coaches at high-ranking colleges accepting bribes to have students designated as athletes to facilitate their admission.

Center got the son of a venture capitalist into the University of Texas and established the man’s son as a tennis recruit even though he was a novice. Later, in June 2015, Singer allegedly flew to Austin to give Center a bag containing $60,000 in cash. Another $40,000 was reportedly given to the University of Texas by Singer as a donation.

Center told “Good Morning America” that he only accepted the money to fund the college’s tennis program and to build additional courts.

“There were a lot of people that were asking me and others to raise money and when that money came in, they were happy. No one complained,” he commented.

He also noted that the University of Texas has an “extensive vetting process,” and that school officials never questioned him regarding a letter of intent he signed for the venture capitalist’s son.

According to the Daily Mail, Center has not been able to find work following his release from prison in October 2020.

“If I let this beat me, I’m not being the person I want to be,’ he told “Good Morning America.” “I’m not being the person I want to be to my children. I need to show them that when you get knocked down, you get back up.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Crime Unveiled: Son Accused of Fatally Stabbing Mother and Abandoning Her in Woods

Inset left: Curtis Trent (Suffolk County Sheriff”s Office). Inset right: Kathleen Harrison…

Father Attacked on Rare Night Without Wife’s Ride, Battles for Life with Severe Brain Injury

Insets: Ismael Loya. Background: The area in Phoenix, Ariz., where Ismael Loya…

Intruder Alert: Man Caught Attempting to Enter Occupied Apartment

By Staff GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A 30-year-old man, Moise Beltschatsar Delva, was…

Stepmom Accused of Chaining Hungry Girl in Bare Bedroom and Beating Her with Belt Buckle

Left: Marianna Miles. Right: Miles” stepdaughter holds up the chains used to…

Oklahoma Teen Forced into Surrogacy by Mother and Boyfriend, Now Expecting Twins: Court Documents Reveal Shocking Details

Authorities in Oklahoma are delving into a troubling situation involving a 14-year-old…

Man Issues Ominous Warning Before Fatally Stabbing Mother and Three Others, Police Report

Inset: Zoya Anatolyevna Shabliykina, left, and her daughter Anastasiya (GoFundMe). Background: Cops…

Tragic Incident: Mother Fatally Stabs 6-Year-Old, Traps 5-Year-Old in House Fire

From left: Jennifer Stately (Todd County Jail) and her sons Remi and…

Blood-Soaked Basement Discovery: DA Links Triple Homicide of Senior Men to Hammer Attack Suspect with Multiple Phones

Right inset: Lance Clowney II (Wayne County Sheriff’s Office). Left inset: Police…

Ex-MLB Pitcher and Bar Owner Speaks Out After Conviction in High-Profile Family Murder Case

Background: Daniel Serafini in court during his six-week trial in Placer County,…

Man Arrested Following Fatal Dispute at Remote NSW Campground

Police have arrested a man over the death of another man allegedly…

Former Liberal MP Accused of Inappropriate Conduct with Minor in Parking Lot Incident

A former Liberal MP has admitted to potentially requesting a kiss from…

Tragic Consequences: Teen Sentenced After Deadly Mix of Video Games and Reckless Gun Use

Left: Luka Rasmussen (Natrona County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Riley Sears (Newcomer Funeral…