Ty Detmer testifies at Ponzi fraud trial

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A tearful Ty Detmer testified at the Texas trial of Triton Financial chief Kurt Barton, accused of bilking the ex-NFL quarterback of $2 million.

Detmer Monday was the first prosecution witness against Barton, 43, who is accused of running a $50 million Ponzi scheme that cheated hundreds of investors, including many former pro athletes, of their savings, the Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported.

Prosecutors played a video showing Detmer joining other Heisman Trophy winnings touting Triton Financial.

"You lose money, that's one thing," said Detmer, 43, on the stand at U.S. District Court in Austin. "But I feel like all I've ever tried to do was just the right thing."

The 43-year-old 1990 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Brigham Young University said he first invested with Triton in 2005 and later made $100,000 a year as a company executive. He retired from the NFL in 2005 after 14 years playing with the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons.

Barton is charged with criminal conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.