GREEN LAKE, Wis. -- Adrian Karsten, a former college football sideline reporter for ESPN, was found dead at his home just before reporting to federal prison for tax evasion. He was 45.
Karsten was expected to report to a facility in Rochester, Minn., this week to serve an 11-month prison sentence followed by probation after pleading guilty to failing to file federal income tax returns.
But Green Lake County sheriff's deputies found Karsten dead in his home in the town of Brooklyn on Friday.
The coroner's office was still investigating the death Tuesday and declined to comment, saying the sheriff's department would release more information on Wednesday.
Investigators said there was no indication of foul play and "the death does not appear to be suspicious," according to a statement.
Karsten, a 1982 Northwestern University graduate, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns totaling about $363,000 in income from 2000 and 2002.
Karsten began his career at ESPN as a production assistant in 1983 and was a reporter from 1991 to 2003, ESPN spokesman Michael Humes said. Humes declined to comment on whether Karsten left voluntarily or was fired.
But after pleading guilty, he was allowed to "do scouting for the Minnesota Vikings" in April, according to a letter from his lawyer to the judge.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0509070309sep07,1,292899.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Karsten was expected to report to a facility in Rochester, Minn., this week to serve an 11-month prison sentence followed by probation after pleading guilty to failing to file federal income tax returns.
But Green Lake County sheriff's deputies found Karsten dead in his home in the town of Brooklyn on Friday.
The coroner's office was still investigating the death Tuesday and declined to comment, saying the sheriff's department would release more information on Wednesday.
Investigators said there was no indication of foul play and "the death does not appear to be suspicious," according to a statement.
Karsten, a 1982 Northwestern University graduate, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns totaling about $363,000 in income from 2000 and 2002.
Karsten began his career at ESPN as a production assistant in 1983 and was a reporter from 1991 to 2003, ESPN spokesman Michael Humes said. Humes declined to comment on whether Karsten left voluntarily or was fired.
But after pleading guilty, he was allowed to "do scouting for the Minnesota Vikings" in April, according to a letter from his lawyer to the judge.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-0509070309sep07,1,292899.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
