Jeff Thurn, a former host at ESPN Radio 99.1 in Sioux Falls, SD, and nationally on ESPN Radio, is now facing up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine after changing his plea to guilty in a multi-million-dollar fraud case. Thurn was indicted last December on five counts of wire fraud, prior to the case being transferred to federal court in Florida. As part of a plea deal the guilty plea is for one count of wire fraud.
Court documents reveal Thurn ran a fictitious ticket-buying business from 2015 to 2022 and told investors he could get certain profits by selling tickets on the secondary market, per KELO TV in Sioux Falls. According to investigators, Thurn defrauded investors of more than $5 million during the seven years.
KELO reports the money was used to get cash, on gambling and to buy cryptocurrency.
Thurn is expected to be sentenced in December.
Thurn departed ESPN Sioux Falls last February after more than a decade to focus on his national role with ESPN Radio. He hosted Overtime from 11 AM-1 PM in Sioux Falls. He joined ESPN Radio in a fill-in capacity in February 2022.
