Ritchie “The Fixer” with UNLV Basketball players in hot tub

On this date May 26, 1989, Three University of Las Vegas, (UNLV), Mens Basketball players are photographed with convicted felon Ritchie “The Fixer” Perry. Ritche was convicted in 1973 and 1984 for a point shaving scandal.

Richie the Fixer

The man they called the “Fixer” got his nickname because he was twice convicted for taking part in mob-backed sports fixes. In 1973 related to manipulating the outcomes of (horse) harness races in New York and then in 1984 related to the Boston College men’s basketball point-shaving scandal (nine games altered in the 1978-79 season).

UNLV Rebels’ star players: Moses Scurry, Perry, Anderson Hunt and David Butler were part of a team that beat Duke by 30 (103-73) in the 1990 NCAA national title game .

The photos and scrutiny led to Tark’s resignation after 19 seasons, and appeared at a time when Nevada officials were considering black booking Perry, which would have banned him from all casinos.

Perry was convicted in 1997 of bookmaking and tax evasion in a federal case out of New York.

Side note: Perry’s attorney was Oscar Goodman, Oscar later became the Mayor of Las Vegas.