Craig Carton will officially become Evan Roberts’s new co-host in afternoon drive on WFAN next month. On Thursday, he sat down with Andrew Marchand of the New York Post for an interview.
Marchand asked if Carton “deserved” the prime sports radio real estate he has been given. Carton answered by asking if there is any good reason he hasn’t earned a second chance.
“I’ve made terrible mistakes. I’ve paid dearly for those mistakes,” Carton said. “I’ve essentially been unemployed for three years. I’m bankrupt. And I went to prison for over a year.”
Carton was released from prison earlier this year. He was one year into a three year sentence for fraud. He misappropriated investor money in a ticket reselling scheme to pay off his own debts.
Carton added that if it is his criminal past that some believe makes him unworthy of a second chance, he wants those people to know that he has paid his debt to society.
“I believe that I have and I will continue to do so because my mistakes will follow me for the rest of my life.”
He has also been forced to deal with his gambling addiction. He owes his victims $4.8 million in restitution.
“It was really one of the most significant, positive life-changing moments for me, when I was able to look at a group, face-to-face, eye-to-eye and say the words, ‘Hello, my name is Craig, I’m a compulsive gambler,’” Carton said of facing his addiction. “I”m very proud to say I have not made a wager of any kind in two years now. I’m hoping that continues.”
Marchand asked an interesting question. Would that gambling addiction make it hard to work on WFAN in 2020? Marchand describes the station as being “inundated in betting ads”.
Chris Olivero, Entercom’s New York Market Manager said that the station would show respect to Carton and his addiction. Carton added that he is not going to promote gambling, but instead try to serve as an example. He says that he will advocate for responsible gambling and also remind people that “there is a dark side of it.”
Carton thinks he deservers a second chance?.. no, he doesn’t – not after what he did, trying to rip off innocent people to cover his gambling debts just because he’s a degenerate gambler.
And it’s a joke that WFAN bought him back.