Ex-Ohio St. QB Art Schlichter arrested

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ex-Ohio State and NFL quarterback Art Schlichter violated his bond conditions in a fraud case by twice testing positive for cocaine and by refusing several times to provide urine samples, according to a federal probation officer.

The former star, whose NFL career was derailed by a gambling addiction, made a brief court appearance Thursday following his arrest at his central Ohio residence a day earlier.

A U.S. magistrate judge outlined the allegations for Schlichter, who said he understood the charges but didn't say anything else.

Just two days ago, in asking for permission for Schlichter to see a doctor, public defender Steve Nolder wrote in a court filing, "Since his release, Schlichter has assiduously complied with the stringent conditions of his pretrial supervision that are in place."

Schlichter, 51, pleaded guilty last year to federal fraud charges stemming from a million-dollar ticket scheme. Plea agreements that call for him to serve about 10 years behind bars still need a judge's approval.

He will serve part of his prison time for violating probation in Indiana on 1997 forgery and theft convictions in that state.

Tests done Dec. 19 and Jan. 3 showed Schlichter tested positive for cocaine, and Schlichter failed to submit to urine tests "on multiple occasions" between Nov. 9 and Jan. 13, according to a petition filed in federal court Wednesday by Julie Schram, U.S. Pretrial Services/Probation Officer.

Authorities say the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback whose NFL career was derailed by a gambling addiction defrauded more than 50 people in the ticket scheme that began in 2008.

They say he stole thousands of dollars from people who gave him money for Ohio State football and basketball games and NFL games.

Authorities say that Schlichter never had the tickets he promised to deliver and that he gambled the money and used it to pay off debts.

Schlichter was placed on house arrest in suburban Columbus after his guilty plea in October. Since that time, he has attended court-ordered gambling addiction counseling and 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, according to court records.

On Nov. 25, Nolder said it appeared that Schlichter "would benefit from another 12-step meeting per week," according to court records, a request granted by a U.S. District Court judge three days later.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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