Celts Assistant Coach Jerome Allen Convicted Of Taking A Bribe

[Roy H.]

Boston Celtics assistant coach Jerome Allen pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to accepting an $18,000 bribe in 2014, according to multiple reports.

Allen's plea agreement with the government requires Allen to repay the $18,000 in addition to a $200,000 fine.

Allen, who joined the Boston staff in 2015, will remain on the staff but will likely face a suspension, according to multiple reports.

At the time, Allen was the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania and accepted the $18,000 bribe from the father of a prospective student "for the purpose of using my position as coach to help his son get admitted to the school as a 'listed' recruit," Allen said in a statement.

"I failed on many levels," said Allen in a statement. "Primarily, I had a failure of character. I did not live up to the high standards I set for myself, or were expected of me in the position that I held.

"I am heartbroken that my players -- current and former -- will know that I broke the law. But, I do hope that some good may come out of this. I wish to model to my young players how one accepts responsibility for wrongdoing, including the consequences that come from unlawful behavior."

[CelticsElite]

Interesting. Wonder how and if the Celtics will discipline him.

[SparzWizard]

Would terminating him and hiring Doc Rivers be a harsh punishment?

[gouki88]

Would terminating him and hiring Doc Rivers be a harsh punishment?

For us?

[hodgy03038]

Would terminating him and hiring Doc Rivers be a harsh punishment?

Can Doc coach 2 teams?

[BitterJim]

Would terminating him and hiring Doc Rivers be a harsh punishment?

Can Doc coach 2 teams?

Can he coach one? 

[Redz]

"I failed on many levels," said Allen in a statement. "Primarily, I had a failure of character. I did not live up to the high standards I set for myself, or were expected of me in the position that I held.

"I am heartbroken that my players -- current and former -- will know that I broke the law. But, I do hope that some good may come out of this. I wish to model to my young players how one accepts responsibility for wrongdoing, including the consequences that come from unlawful behavior."

Translation: "I'm sorry that I got caught."

[Emmette Bryant]

wonder what his salary was at Penn

[Donoghus]

Sounds like a simple misunderstanding to me.

[hpantazo]

Based on what our government officials are getting away with nowadays, he should be praised rather than punished.

[Emmette Bryant]

Based on what our government officials are getting away with nowadays, he should be praised rather than punished.

Dude. Don't you know that rules are for suckers?

[CelticsElite]

Based on what our government officials are getting away with nowadays, he should be praised rather than punished.

what are they getting away with ? Record low unemployment? Record stock market highs? Or you referring to the allegations with no evidence ?

[Donoghus]

Let's keep the politics out of this.  Sheesh. 

[blink]

Maybe I am missing something, but is there a reason he will be suspended instead of just terminated?

[bellerephon]

I’m guessing the Celtics like him enough as a coach that they don’t want to lose him. I doubt they are all that concerned about what he did, but think they need to do something.