Ex-sports radio host Craig Carton to be sentenced in ticket fraud scheme and faces up to 45 years

Former WFAN sports radio host Craig Carton will be sentenced in Manhattan on Friday for his role in a $5.6 million ticket fraud scheme that he claims was the result of his ‘deep, dark spiral’ into gambling addiction.

The former radio co-host of 1988 NFL MVP Boomer Esiason, Carton was convicted of conspiracy as well as wire and securities fraud last November and faces up to 45 years in prison.

As Carton explained in a confessional video that was to be released after his sentencing, the 50-year old’s legal problems are the result of his gambling problems.

‘I borrowed over $30 million to gamble with,’ he said in the video, which was obtained by the New York Post. ‘Helicopters, private jets, vacations. I had it all at my disposal because I was wagering obscene amounts of money.

‘And I didn’t care. I had a huge ego when it came to my ability to play blackjack … I was wagering 10, 20 thousand dollars a hand just a few hours before I was supposed to do a radio show.

Carton resigned from his radio show following his 2017 arrest when he was accused of swindling investors in a ticket reselling business. According to the Post, he has entered Gamblers Anonymous.

Prosecutors alleged he had misappropriated at least $5.6 million from investors and spent the money on personal expenses including gambling, landscaping bills, repaying debts and business opportunities.

Hedge fund executives testified during his week-and-a-half long trial that they invested millions to buy and resell ever growing numbers of premium tickets to events, including a Metallica tour and Barbara Streisand concerts.

After Carton’s arrest, his radio co-host Esiason told the Boston radio team of Toucher & Rich morning that he was ‘lost and kind of a little bit heartbroken over the whole thing.’

Carton, who reportedly made $2 million a year as longtime morning host Don Imus’s replacement, explained the depth of his issues in his confession tape.

After Carton’s arrest, his radio co-host Boomer Esiason (left) told the Boston radio team of Toucher & Rich that he was ‘lost and kind of a little bit heartbroken over the whole thing’

‘If I was drinking, you could tell I was drinking,’ he said. ‘Drugs? You could tell I was on drugs. Gambling? There was no way to tell.’

‘Harrah’s in Atlantic City. They allowed me to wager five hands at $25,000 a hand, at once. Obscene. I won $4 million in three days and didn’t tell a single person. Didn’t enjoy it, didn’t buy anything with it.

‘Two weeks later, I lost $700,000. You end up living in an isolated, introverted world of secrets. And that’s what I did, until I couldn’t anymore.’

The problem became clearer with the help of his son.

‘My seven-year-old son went back to school after the summer,’ he said. ‘The teacher said, “I want you to draw for me your favorite places to visit.”

‘He drew Atlantis, Hollywood Hard Rock and the Borgata — three casinos. That’s not normal for a seven-year-old. That’s the first time I really looked in the mirror and said, ‘You’ve got a problem.’

While his family was familiar with his affinity for casinos, they did not know how often Carton was gambling.

‘My family had no idea that I was leaving the apartment at midnight, getting on a helicopter or driving to casinos.’