Former Charger Going to Prison

Former NFL offensive lineman Ben Coleman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax evasion, filing false loan applications and identity theft.

Coleman, who was a left tackle for the Chargers and played five of his nine seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, also was ordered by a federal judge Friday to repay $240,000. He will surrender Feb. 6 to begin serving his sentence.

Coleman pleaded guilty in December to giving false information to banks to gain access to thousands of dollars in credit. He also didn't file tax returns for 2005 and 2006.

He also admitted stealing the identity of a former teammate, Vaughan Parker, also an offensive lineman. He used Parker's name to get credit cards and run up charges of more $66,000 the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Coleman was drafted in the second round out of Wake Forest in 1993 by the Phoenix Cardinals. He later played for the Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins before retiring in 2001.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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