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Monday, 9 April 2007, 20:34 GMT 21:34 UK

Sprinter pleads guilty to fraud

Tim Montgomery. File photo Former 100m world record-holder Tim Montgomery has pleaded guilty to charges related to a $5m bank fraud and money-laundering scheme in the US.

Montgomery, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of bank fraud.

"I sincerely regret the role I played in this unfortunate episode," he said in a statement.

Montgomery was a gold medal winner in the 2000 Olympics, but his career ended in 2005 after a doping scandal.

Following the plea deal, Montgomery is due to be sentenced in November and could get between three and four years in jail, defence lawyers said.

'Truly sorry'

"I have disappointed many people and for that I am truly sorry. I look forward to moving past this event and being a positive influence in my community in the future," Montgomery added in his statement.

Montgomery ran 100m in 9.78 seconds to break the world record in 2002.

He was also part of the winning 4X100m US relay team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Montgomery was charged last year with his coach Steven Riddick and 11 others over an alleged conspiracy to deposit $5 million (£2.5m) in stolen, altered or counterfeit cheques.

The athlete allegedly deposited three bogus cheques worth a total of $775,000. He was accused of helping Riddick deposit others, and is reported to have accepted a $200,000 fee for his role.

Riddick, a medallist at the 1976 Olympics, has maintained he is innocent, AP news agency reported.

His trial is due to begin on Tuesday.




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Related to this story:
US sprinter denies fraud charges (03 May 06 |  Americas )
Montgomery lawyers in ban appeal (20 Jan 06 |  Athletics )
Disgraced Montgomery opts to quit (15 Dec 05 |  Athletics )
Montgomery hit with two-year ban (13 Dec 05 |  Athletics )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
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US Anti Doping Agency
IAAF official site
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