Two Former KU Employees Sentenced in Ticket Scam
WICHITA, KAN. – Two former University of Kansas employees have been sentenced on charges of failing to report what they knew about a scheme to steal tickets to university athletic events, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Brandon Simmons, 31, Lenexa, Kan., was sentenced to two years probation and restitution of $157,480. Jason Jeffries, 36, Lawrence, Kan., was sentenced to two years probation and restitution of $56,000. Simmons was an assistant athletic director of sales and marketing. Jeffries was assistant director of ticket operations.
In their pleas, both men admitted they had knowledge of a scheme to steal and sell tickets to University of Kansas athletic events but failed to report the crime to the university or law enforcement.
Five co-defendants in the case have entered guilty pleas, including:
Ben Kirtland, 54, Lenexa, Kan., former associate athletic director in charge of the fund-raising arm of the athletics program, who is set for sentencing May 12 after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy.
Thomas Ray Blubaugh, 46, Medford, Okla., the husband of Charlette Blubaugh, who is set for sentencing April 14 after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy.
Charlette Fay Blubaugh, 44, Medford, Okla., who is set for sentencing April 14 after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy.
Kassie Liebsch, 28, Lawrence, Kan., who is set for sentencing March 30 after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy.
Rodney Dale Jones, 42, Lawrence, Kan., who is set for sentencing March 31 after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy.
Grissom commended the Internal Revenue Service, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.
