Calvin Darden Jr. Convicted of Fraud Against Dwight Howard

Calvin Darden Jr., a Georgia businessman, was found guilty of defrauding former NBA star Dwight Howard out of $7 million in a failed investment scheme to purchase the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. The jury's verdict followed a trial in which Howard testified that he was misled by Darden, who lavishly spent most of the funds on luxury items, including cars and watches. Darden was also convicted of cheating former NBA player Chandler Parsons out of $1 million under similar pretenses. He faces a potential prison sentence of 11 to 14 years, with sentencing scheduled for next year. Howard expressed his disappointment in being betrayed by someone he trusted, describing the experience as a 'slap in the face'. Darden's criminal history includes a prior conviction for impersonation and fraud in 2016, raising concerns about his pattern of deceit.