Schlichter Heads Back To Prison After Convictions For Forgery, Theft

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Art Schlichter was sent back to prison Wednesday for his latest gambling-related convictions.

Schlichter, 37, was sentenced to 16 years, with six suspended and the final two to be spent at a day reporting program. He was convicted of two counts of forgery and one count of theft for stealing checks to pay off gambling debts.

“It’s a sad day,” Marion County Prosecutor Scott Newman said.

Schlichter declined to comment following sentencing.

The convictions marked the fifth time Schlichter, who has admitted to having a gambling problem, has been found guilty of felony charges.

Wednesday’s sentencing stemmed from an incident last summer in which Schlichter forged two $25,000 checks stolen from his employer. He was arrested just four weeks after being released from the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind.

Schlichter also received five years probation, including 2,000 hours of community service, and will have to pay $365,808.07 in restitution.

Schlichter starred at Ohio State and was the fourth player picked in the 1982 NFL draft. He played for the Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills in the NFL before playing for the Detroit and Cincinnati Arena League teams.