An Indiana businessman and youth baseball coach pleaded guilty to federal charges related to an investigation into a betting scheme on a college baseball game last spring, according to documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District North Alabama.
Bert Eugene Neff, of Marion County, Indiana, was charged with obstructing a federal investigation, including destroying evidence, tampering with witnesses and making false statements to the FBI, according to the documents. Neff faces a maximum sentence of no more than 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation stems from suspicious betting activity on a game between Alabama and LSU on April 28, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which ultimately led to the firing of Crimson Tide baseball coach Brad Bohannon. Multiple sources familiar with what happened told ESPN that Neff attempted to bet on LSU to win the game after communicating with Bohannon.
Federal authorities say Neff shared messages from an associate identified in the documents as “Individual 1” about an injury to a pitcher, which resulted in a lineup change. Neff, according to the documents, shared a screenshot of the messages with several associates. According to the documents, four players bet on the game in addition to Neff.
Alabama cut its starting pitcher before the game, which LSU won 8-6.
Neff encouraged the unidentified gamblers to delete the messaging app they used to communicate about gambling on about 10 occasions, according to a timeline of events listed in the plea agreement. Authorities say Neff placed a bet on the game at BetMGM and placed an additional bet at a FanDuel betting kiosk in Belterra Park Cincinnati.
Neff and the four unnamed players received grand jury subpoenas in early October, according to the documents.
Neff has been banned from gambling establishments in Indiana and Ohio due to his role in the betting scandal. He has notified the Ohio Casino Control Commission that he intends to appeal.
Bohannon was fired in early May and has not spoken publicly about the incident.
