News: Marshall is making sure N.C. sports agents’ are held responsible

(Via Herald-Sun)

DURHAM — N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall launched an investigation Wednesday into sports agents’ activities with college athletes after reports that NCAA violations may have occurred.

George Jeter, Marshall’s director of communications, said the secretary of state made the decision after reading media reports but that there was no complaint filed with her office.

“We’ve been watching media reports that perhaps athlete agents had given things of value to the athletes mentioned in the reports,” Jeter said. “… We don’t do this unless we think it’s serious.”

By state law, agents are prohibited from giving anything of value to athletes before they enter a contract, and they are barred from making false representations. They also are not allowed to initiate contact with a student-athlete unless they are registered with the secretary of state, and there are currently 97 agents registered in North Carolina according to the website.

North Carolina state law requires an agent and an athlete to give notice about a contract to an athletic director within 72 hours after entering into an agreement or before the next athletic event in which the student-athlete may participate.

Jeter said the maximum penalty for breaking state agent rules, which is considered a Class I felony, is 15 months in jail.

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