Walker charged with writing bad checks to casinos
Three years ago, Antoine Walker was credited with helping the Miami Heat win an NBA championship. Today, the former basketball standout is taking heat from the Clark County district attorney's office.
Walker faces three felony counts related to writing bad checks at Las Vegas casinos between July 2008 and January 2009. According to the criminal complaint, Walker wrote six checks worth $100,000 each at Caesars Palace around Jan. 19. Before that, the 12-year NBA veteran wrote $400,000 worth of checks for chips at Red Rock and Planet Hollywood, prosecutors say.
Walker has paid back a portion of the money but still owes $822,500.
While Walker has experienced some brushes with the law, he also has been victimized. In May, a Chicago man was sentenced to 21 years in prison for robbing Walker at gunpoint in his home. The sentencing stemmed from a 2007 incident during which a gunman ambushed Walker as he pulled into his garage. He was forced to turn over his vehicle, cash and jewelry, according to news accounts.
Walker, 32, played for the Kentucky Wildcats when they won the 1996 national championship under Rick Pitino.
He was drafted sixth by the Boston Celtics and went on to play for the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies and the Heat.
Walker, a three-time All-Star, retired after the 2007 season and was living in Florida at the time he allegedly bounced the checks.
Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.
