Schlichter, on his third attorney, is ruled indigent

Schlichter, on his third attorney, is ruled indigent
Move clears way to use public funds on defense; backers pay lawyer's bill
By John Futty The Columbus Dispatch

Former Ohio State University quarterback Art Schlichter was declared indigent yesterday by a Franklin County judge, making him eligible for public money to help his defense against felony charges in a sports-ticket scam.

His attorney, J. Scott Weisman, told Common Pleas Judge Tim Horton that he is being paid by supporters of Schlichter to handle the case. But he wanted to make sure that the court considered Schlichter indigent so public funds can be used to pay investigators or psychologists needed by the defense.

Horton agreed with a finding by the county public defender's office, which determined that Schlichter qualifies as an indigent defendant. He set a trial date for Nov. 7.

Schlichter, 51, is accused of swindling people out of more than $1 million, but investigators have said that the money is gone.

Weisman is Schlichter's third attorney since he surrendered to authorities in February. Sam Shamansky and Sam Weiner both tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a plea agreement with state and federal prosecutors.

The sticking point in the negotiations was a demand by Schlichter that he be released on bond to spend time with family and receive treatment for a gambling addiction before being sentenced to what is expected to be a lengthy prison term.

Schlichter was indicted by a Franklin County grand jury in April on 13 felony counts involving 12 victims. At the center of the case is Anita Barney, the widow of former Wendy's President and Chairman Robert Barney. Investigators said Schlichter swindled her out of at least $680,000 and persuaded her to ask friends and associates for money, promising to make them a profit by scalping tickets to Ohio State football games and the 2011 Super Bowl.

Schlichter was the Buckeyes' starting quarterback from 1978 to 1981 and was the fourth pick in the 1981 NFL draft. His professional career was derailed by a gambling addiction that got him suspended from the league in 1983.