COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A Cleveland executive and Buckeyes football booster says he's responsible for three Ohio State football players getting suspended for NCAA infractions.
Robert "Bobby" DiGeronimo, corporate secretary of Independence Excavating Inc., has admitted that his role in funneling "travel expense reimbursements" to running back Jordan Hall, cornerback Travis Howard and defensive back Corey Brown is what led to their suspensions, The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.
DiGeronimo told the newspaper former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor gave cash envelopes to his three teammates while they were attending a February charity fundraiser in Cleveland.
The Dispatch said DiGeronimo stopped short of admitting he himself provided the $200 cash payments and also asserted the charity, Bobby Tripodi Foundation Inc., didn't provide the cash.
"However Mr. Pryor got the money, I take responsibility," DiGeronimo said. "I am responsible for those kids coming up here from Columbus. I handled it wrong. I should not have handled it the way I did."
The trio were reinstated to the team Tuesday by the NCAA and will be eligible for Saturday's game at the University of Miami.
