Crime & Safety

Police: UGA Football Players Were 'Double-Dipping' By Cashing Stipend Checks Twice

Tray Matthews, Uriah LeMay, Jonathan Taylor and James DeLoach were all charged with misdemeanor theft by deception.

Four University of Georgia football players were arrested Monday night and charged with theft by deception for allegedly cashing or depositing regular student stipend checks twice.

Tray Matthews, Uriah LeMay, Jonathan Taylor and James DeLoach were all released on bond from the Clarke County jail late Monday night.

LeMay faces four counts, Matthews three counts and Taylor and DeLoach two counts each, according to jail records. All charges are misdemeanors.

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University of Georgia police say 11 checks drawn from the UGA Athletic Association account were deposited or cashed twice. The AJC reported that three of the players deposited checks with their banking apps on their mobile devices, then cashing the checks at a convenience store. LeMay is accused of taking a roommate’s checks and cashing them a second time.

UGA Police Chief Jimmy Williamson told the Athens Banner-Herald the players were “basically double-dipping.”

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LeMay posted a $6,000 bond, Matthews $4,500 and Taylor and DeLoach $3,000 each, according to jail records. All four players were released to Double O Bonding.

The alleged thefts, amounting to $786.50, were discovered and reported by the UGA Athletic Association.

Georgia’s spring football practice begins Tuesday. Coach Mark Richt said in a Tuesday morning statement, "I'm aware of the situation and it will be handled in an appropriate way."

Read the entire report on OnlineAthens.com

Matthews, expected to start at safety, is from Newnan, LeMay, a wide receiver, is from Matthews, N.C., and Taylor and DeLoach are defensive linemen who were teammates at Jenkins County High School.


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