Former USD Star Denies Bribery Allegations

A former University of San Diego star player accused in a sports bribery case pleaded not guilty in a federal court in San Diego Monday.

Former Toreros basketball player Brandon Johnson, 24, was arraigned Monday before Judge Ruben Brooks. He is free on a $25,000 bond.

Johnson was arrested in Houston, TX and arraigned there, before being flown to San Diego for Monday’s hearing.

An indictment handed up by a federal grand jury April 8 alleges ten defendants, including Johnson, enriched themselves by operating an illegal sports bookmaking business and distributing marijuana.

The defendants allegedly conspired to bribe NCAA Div 1 college basketball players to alter the outcome of games so the defendants could profit by betting on games at Las Vegas casinos, according to the indictment.

The USD starting point guard in the 2009-2010 and the school's all-time leading scorer, was intricately involved in the illegal gambling business and the sports bribery schemes, prosecutors allege.

The defendants also include former USD assistant coach Thaddeus Brown, 32, and former player Brandon Dowdy, 22, who played during the 2006-2007 season.

Steven Goria, 32, Paul Thweni, 26, Richard Garmo, 32, Richard Thweni, 28, David Gates, 34, Lilian Goria, 32, and Jake Salter, 23, were also named in the indictment.

Johnson is scheduled to be back in court on May 20 for a motion’s hearing.