Richard Jefferson Defauded by manager for 7M. He will return to CAVS next season

[GoCatZ]

A former business manager for Richard Jefferson has been charged with defrauding the Cleveland Cavaliers forward of $7 million during his NBA career.

According to a June 14 indictment in U.S. District Court in Tucson, Arizona, which was obtained by the Arizona Daily Star, Theodore Kritza has been charged with 22 counts of bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Kritza allegedly forged Jefferson's signature in 2005 to take power of attorney over the NBA player. According to the Daily Star, Jefferson did not learn of this until 2012.

The ex-manager is accused of fraudulently taking $6.99 million from Jefferson between 2004 and 2013.

Jefferson had hired Kritza through the manager's agency to handle bill payments and to manage his financial accounts, paying the company up to $250,000 per year for the service.

Richard Jefferson returning to Cavs next season

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Richard Jefferson is returning to the Cavs for another season, but James Jones may not be back.

Jefferson, 37, said on his podcast, "Road Trippin'," that he would indeed return for his 17th season. He had previously mentioned he was considering retirement.

Jefferson has one guaranteed season left on his contract for $2.5 million. The 6-7, 233-pound forward averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 79 games for the Cavs, mostly as a reserve.