The N.C. Secretary of State’s office has asked sports agents registered in North Carolina to preserve all information regarding six Tar Heel football players.
In the letter sent to agents, obtained by The N&O and dated July 23, the office of Elaine Marshall states: "The Department of the Secretary of State is requesting that you preserve all documents, tangible things and electronically stored information that you possess regarding the following individuals: Marvin Austin, Greg Little, Deunta Williams, Kendric Burney, Bruce Carter, and Quan Sturdivant."
Austin, a defensive tackle, and Little, a wide receiver, were among an undisclosed number of players interviewed by the NCAA last month as part of an investigation into allegations of impermissible contact between sports agents and college football players at several schools, including UNC. All six players were considered NFL draft picks after last season, but opted to return for their senior years.
The letter – which was signed by Christopher B. Rawls, the enforcement attorney for the securities division – is part of the Secretary of State's investigation into possible improprieties by sports agents in the state.
The North Carolina Uniform Athlete Agent Act requires agents to register with the Secretary of State's office and inform a school's athletic director within 72 hours of agreeing to a contract with an athlete.
Agents are prevented from furnishing anything of value to athletes before they enter a contract, and they are prohibited from making false representations. Violating the law is a Class I felony.
Liz Proctor, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, said the department won't comment on an ongoing investigation.
Earlier this week, Proctor did confirm that a letter was sent out to all 107 agents registered in North Carolina, and to other individuals identified in media reports about the case.
California-based agent Gary Wichard, who has been mentioned in reports because of his ties to North Carolina assistant coach John Blake, is among those who have been sent letters even though he has never been registered in the state.
The letter also asks that agents contact the Secretary of State’s Office “if you have had any communications with the above named individuals, or to self-report a violation under the Act. If you are concerned that another athlete agent may have violated the Uniform Athelet Agents Act, please provide us with the information.”
Ken Tysiac contributed to this story.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
There Goes the F-Ball Game at UNC
Fri, 08/13/2010 - 12:59 — jeromfitzIf this information is legit, there goes the football game for UNC 2010 Season. It a shame how a free trip became such a investigate subject matter. It's a coincidence for an agent to be around when he just sign his client when the players visit there former teammate. Working out is just something to do no matter who's present if you need to condition yourself for the upcoming season anyways. This stuff is just B.S. place on a potentional BCS bound UNC...peace...NCAA sanctions on the way...
It keeps getting deeper!
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 17:02 — bradleyb123Now it's up to six players. Wow!
People being cynical about this request, implying that these agents have no reason to comply, need to realize that they don't know if the Carolina players are already dropping dime on them. If they fail to comply with this request, and a player points a finger at them, then THEY risk being charged with perjury.
I don't think many would be willing to take that risk.
Dear sports agents, if you
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:22 — swisspfauDear sports agents, if you have anything incriminating we would like you to keep it so that we can prosecute you. Please please please don't throw anything away.
i know it sounds silly
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:23 — izzykareembut this way they can also be charged with destroying evidence and or obstructing justice. It's all about how its played
being from the arm pit,
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 18:23 — gvillegatrNew Jersey, you'd know a thing or two about obstructing justice and how to cooperate with the state or feds. zinger!
There ya go gatr, haha. I
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 19:55 — mad_maxThere ya go gatr, haha. I think you got the right guy this time.
It's not silly
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:32 — JPDOhioThat's how the Dept of Justice destroyed Arthur Anderson when they couldn't get anything meaningful to stick.
This is SOP for blood-sucking trial attorneys and politicians.
It's all part of an on-going process
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:58 — keihinThe agents are not being asked to turn themselves in, they're being asked not to destroy evidence or otherwise engage in a cover-up. They're also being put on notice that they will be interviewed (likely resulting in sworn statements) and are expected to be truthful in their responses. The NCAA has already done significant fact finding in this matter. Without knowledge of what the NCAA may or may not already have discovered, an agent who chose to lie would be putting themselves at risk of perjury or obstruction charges.
The NCAA doesn't have subpoena powers in this matter, but the state authorities certainly do. It's all a part of the process of getting to the truth.
Any fan of college sports should be fully supportive of this process.
I'm all about cleaning up
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 15:01 — mad_maxI'm all about cleaning up college sports, but I really think Marshall is just looking for publicity and votes.
maybe its because im not a taxpayer of the state
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 16:22 — izzykareembut she can do whatever she wants to do at the expense of the image of UNC-CH, not UNC-C or UNC-A or UNC-G or UNC-P, but UNC-CH, go right ahead, get elected to guv'nah while she's at it.
Why would any agent
Thu, 08/12/2010 - 14:50 — mad_maxWhy would any agent essentially turn themselves in? What is this supposed to accomplish?