ATLANTA — An Arizona man who prosecutors say conspired to extort money from Georgia Tech has pleaded guilty to the act.
Ronald Bell tried to implicate Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner with a false claim of sexual assault, attempting to tarnish his reputation, a news release from the Department of Justice said.
"By his guilty plea he acknowledged the lie and his criminal conduct and will now face the consequences for his crime," U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said in a prepared statement.
Bell, from Oro Valley, Ariz., ultimately plead guilty to conspiring with his co-defendant and fiance Jennifer Pendley, and a security guard at Georgia Tech.
The group falsely accused Pastner of sexual assault, the release said.
The 56-year-old admitted he recruited the security guard to claim that he witnessed an assault -- adding the lie could be worth $20 million and promised to split the money, prosecutors said. He also communicated with representatives of the college and demanded money in exchange for not reporting the false assault, according to the release.
After Georgia Tech refused to pay the bribe, Bell's fiance filed a lawsuit claiming sexual battery, sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit rested on that the security guard witnessed the alleged assault -- but he admitted his statements were false and said Bell asked him to lie.
Bell's fiance pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion on Feb. 22.
Sentencing for Bell is scheduled for June 8.
