The Cleveland Browns have had a hectic offseason, thanks in large part to all the drama taking place at their quarterback position. Heading into the new campaign, Joe Flacco has been appointed the team’s Week 1 starter, Kenny Pickett got traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will be operating as Flacco’s backups.
On Thursday, though, one of the Browns’ former players, cornerback Buster Skrine, ended up taking some attention away from the team. That’s because he was arrested for his alleged involvement in a fraud scheme that targeted women on dating apps, with investigators claiming he scammed his victims out of roughly $300,000.
Buster Skrine Arrested on 18 Charges Connected to Financial Fraud Scheme
Skrine was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he eventually ended up becoming one of Cleveland’s starting cornerbacks by 2013. The next year, Skrine would enjoy the best season of his career, racking up 67 tackles, four interceptions, and 18 passes deflected while starting all 16 games he played.
After that campaign, Skrine signed with the New York Jets in free agency, where he again played a big role in their secondary. However, his play began to tail off towards the end of his tenure, resulting in the team letting him walk in free agency in 2019. Skrine signed with the Chicago Bears, lasting two seasons with them before he was released. He would finish his career by splitting time with the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans in 2021.
Since then, Skrine has struggled to keep himself out of trouble. Prior to this incident, he was already wanted in Canada after he fled the country while being out on bail for his involvement in a check fraud case. Now, he is in similar trouble in the United States, as Skrine has allegedly created an elaborate fraud scheme that preys on women using dating apps.
“Investigators determined Skrine was targeting women through online dating platforms, telling them fabricated stories about financial troubles and promising repayment from his NFL annuity,” Joyce Lupiani and Denise Dillon wrote for Fox 5 Atlanta. Instead, detectives say, he used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including Airbnb rentals, travel, and gift cards.”
Browns Turn Their Attention to Week 1 After Busy Offseason
Elsa/Getty ImagesJoe Flacco will start Week 1 for the Browns
Skrine certainly has found himself in some hot water here, and his situation will be worth monitoring in the future. The police are working with Canadian authorities to ensure Skrine faces charges in both countries, so it doesn’t exactly seem like he’s going to get off easy, especially when considering the number of charges he’s facing.
Meanwhile, the Browns have turned their attention towards preparing for their Week 1 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Expectations aren’t high at all for Cleveland heading into the new season, but they will have a shot to prove their haters wrong by getting off to a strong start against a Cincinnati team that is notorious for enduring slow starts to the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sep. 7.
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