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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Former University of Arizona standout Kerr Kriisa has admitted to running a fraud scheme and stealing millions.
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The Department of Justice announced Thursday, Oct. 8, that Kriisa pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
As part of the plea, Kriisa admitted to sending one of the victims an email in February claiming to be a woman named Irene. As Irene, Kriisa demanded $9,000 to avoid a lawsuit and publicity over a dispute.
Kriisa, who also played at West Virginia, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, will be sentenced on Dec. 22.
According to MetroNews, the plea agreement includes a promise by the federal government not to seek a sentence longer than two years.
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The 25-year-old Kriisa was arrested on five counts of wire fraud in July 2026.
The Department of Justice claimed that from 2022 to 2026 Kriisa stole more than $2 million by lying about needing money to protect himself and his family from people he allegedly owed money to, to pay for his mother’s cancer treatments, and to keep his family’s farm.
According to prosecutors, he also posed as his own mother to defraud the victims, lied about getting a $100,000 loan to pay one of the victims back, and lied about planning to sell his organs to pay her back.
Indictment against Kerr Kriisa by KOLD News 13
“Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions.”
Kriisa, a guard, played for Arizona in 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. He transferred to West Virginia University for the 2023-24 season, Kentucky in the 2024-25 season, and Cincinnati last year.
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Kriisa also got in trouble while in Tucson for accepting impermissible benefits.
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