Former Michigan lineman Greg Skrepenak sentenced to 2 years in federal prison
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — Former Michigan All-American and co-captain offensive lineman Greg Skrepenak has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for accepting a bribe while serving as a county commissioner in northeastern Pennsylvania.
A former Luzerne County commissioner, Skrepenak was sentenced Friday to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay $5,100 in fines and court costs.
Skrepenak pleaded guilty in January to taking $5,000 in gifts from a developer seeking public financing for a town house project.
The sentence is below federal sentencing guidelines. Skrepenak's attorney asked for a reduced sentence because his client is a single father with three children.
Skrepenak was a co-captain at Michigan in 1991 and earned All-America honors in 1990 and ’91. He played six seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman for the Raiders and Panthers.
Comments
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Aug 7, 2010 : 12:26 a.m.
Man I can't believe RR all those horrific Major college football violations and now this oh wait, was RR Gregs coach at Mich? Our country is dangerously corrupt boys and girls so don't get confused when you see an ex Wolverine up on charges it's happening everywhere in all phases of our society. This plague in our country starts with what we teach our children not with the Mich. football team. Our kids are conditioned to accept greed as a way of life most kids don't have to work hard for anything anymore. Today it's Greg tomorrow it might be your kid.
JimB
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
Screp Sack was always on the ground when he played. He was lazy until his senior year.
WWBoDo
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 7:48 p.m.
So sad. He needs to pay the penalty. While the real tragedy is with the kids, it is just another black mark on Michigan football and the Michigan tradition. Hopefully he will recover like Billy Taylor.
Forest City
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.
Wow. Two pathetic rationalizations in a row. Everybody does it, so it must be OK.
heartbreakM
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
I am a bit familiar with this region--it appears that judges, politicians and everyone in public life is extremely corrupt in that part of PA. I think 24 mos for a 5000 bribe (which was repaid) is steep, but the law is the law and he is facing it now. Bottom line is to follow the rules. Meanwhile, in that county, there has been a number of judges convicted (or in process of being convicted) for accepting monetary kickbacks in exchange for sentencing minors with very minor offenses to certain juvenile facilities, often regardless of the offense. It helped the people who owned those facilities make money from the state, and helped the corrupt judges line their pockets. Disgusting behavior from our trusted elected officials. (Yes, judges are elected in Luzerne). Perhaps Skrep got caught up in that culture.
81wolverine
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
It's really sad, and a shame to see a great former Michigan player sink to this kind of low. What's really bad is that he has 3 kids and is a single father. But, part of life is facing your mistakes and paying the price for them. My only hope here is that he rises above this later on after he finishes his sentence. In the bigger picture, I'm sure he's not the only local politician who has accepted bribes like this. Maybe if a lot more of them were caught, you wouldn't see the corruption nearly as much.