Webber sentenced, receives $100,000 fine

Federal Judge Nancy Edmunds charged Webber with a misdemeanor and fined the All-Star $100,000 for his part in the University of Michigan booster scandal.

Webber and his father were both found guilty of lying to a federal grand jury about receiving money while at the University of Michigan from former basketball booster Ed Martin.

Martin said that he had loaned the Webber family $280,000 from 1988-93, a period that extended from his freshman year in high school through his sophomore season at Michigan.

However, Webber told the grand jury investigating Martin that he received money in high school from the former auto worker. But the player couldn’t remember if he took money from Martin in college.

Webber eventually pleaded guilty to the charge on July 14, 2003 and that enabled him to avoid jail time. However, two months later, Edmunds ordered him to complete 300 hours of volunteer work towards a summer literacy program in Detroit for two summers.

As part of the agreement, Webber needed to complete a minimum of 150 hours of community service each summer, be physically present for the program assigned and approved by the court and have his participation act as an academic/reading component.

"I believe there is a reason and purpose for everything in life and if this situation allowed me the privilege to have my life intersect with the lives of the children I worked with these past two summers, than it was worth every moment," Webber said in a statement on his web site. "These kids face challenges and hardships that most of us cannot imagine. I’ve always tried to give back to the community, especially Detroit because of all it has done for me...I thank the Court for its fairness and guidance during the past few years and to my family, friends and fans for their support."

Webber was traded this past season from Sacramento to the Sixers just prior to the NBA trading deadline and helped lead Philadelphia to the playoffs.

In his career, Webber has posted 21.8 points, 10.1 boards and 4.5 assists while also spending time with Golden State and Washington.