TULSA, Okla. — A federal jury has convicted an Oklahoma man for defrauding the charitable foundation run by former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles.
Broyles, who retired last year after more than a half-century with the University of Arkansas, created the foundation after his wife, Barbara, died in 2004 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease.
According to prosecutors, Kelly Nichols was a friend of the Broyles family. Prosecutors say the foundation paid Nichols $267,000 to print 500,000 copies of "Coach Broyles' Playbook for Alzheimer's Caregivers," but he instead spent the money on personal expenses.
The Tulsa World reports Nichols was convicted Monday of mail fraud, bankruptcy fraud and unlawful money transactions. He'll be sentenced March 8.
His attorney had argued that Nichols mismanaged his business but cared deeply about helping Alzheimer's caregivers.