Even though it hasn't played a game yet this season, Brigham Young University's basketball team has suffered its first major loss.
Star player Bryon Ruffner, 26, was charged Friday in 4th District Court with theft, a second-degree felony. He is also accused in a civil lawsuit filed in 3rd District Court of participating with several others in a scheme that bilked a Provo firm out of more than $250,000.Provo Police Capt. George Pierpont confirmed Thursday that the company notified them of the allegations a few weeks ago and the results of the criminal investigation were turned over to the Utah County Attorney's Office.
Ruffner said Friday he's withdrawing from school for personal reasons, according to a statement released through the university'sathletic department. He was the team's second-leading scorer last year and will miss his senior season.
"Obviously, Bryon's departure is a significant loss for our basketball team and our athletic department," athletic director Rondo Fehlberg said.
Assistant athletic director Val Hale said Ruffner would not be available for comment.
Coach Roger Reid said losing Ruffner is a "real blow" for the young team. "Bryon was our senior leader, our go-to guy and a potential first-team All-WAC player. It's a huge understatement to say that we will miss him," he said.
But the coach said his main concern at this time is for Ruffner and his family.
"Basketball at this time seems very insignificant. Bryon has given our coaches and team 100 percent and has been a real joy to coach and work with," he said.
The details of the alleged scheme are outlined in the civil suit filed in August. The suit alleges that Joshua T. Kallunki, a former accounts payable clerk for Angia Communications, transferred credit card balances from cards belonging to him or his associates to Angia's account between November 1994 and June 1996.
Kallunki made 133 fraudulent transfers totaling more than $109,000, according to the suit. Those whose credit cards were credited allegedly kicked back a portion of the money to Kallunki.
The suit also alleges that from December 1995 to June 1996, Kallunki forged the signature of company officials on Angia checks he issued to his associates. On the two copies kept by the company, Kallunki listed the checks as being issued to legitimate suppliers or vendors. Those receiving the checks would cash them and then allegedly return a portion to Kallunki.
Kallunki allegedly issued 89 forged and fraudulent checks for more than $159,000.
According to the suit, Ruffner also confessed his role to Angia Communications officials. He was a recipient of fraudulent credits to his credit card and endorsed and cashed Angia Communications checks that were forged by Kallunki.
The suit says Ruffner assisted in the theft of $44,000 from Angia Communications. The suit says Ruffner has repaid $11,000, the amount he allegedly received himself.
Kallunki also admitted to Angia Communications that he devised the scheme, according to the lawsuit. Because Kallunki failed to answer the lawsuit in a timely manner, 3rd District Judge Frank G. Noel issued a judgment against him on Oct. 11 for $549,000.
Also named in the suit are Patrick Antone; Charles H. Cashmore; Courtney Ellison; Jared K. Ellison; Charles E. Hart; Jeremy Jackson; Jeff Jacobsen; Amber Kallunki; Kristen Kallunki, Roman Meyrhens and B.M. Stinchfield.
The suit alleges the scheme resulted in 222 criminal violations. Pierpont said detectives interviewed all of the suspects and each cooperated and provided police with names and the roles each played.
"I don't think there was any denial on anybody's part," Pierpont said.
Angia Communications is located in East Bay Business Park and designs and manufacturers data communications products for portable computers.
As BYU's second-leading scorer last year, Ruffner averaged 18.8 points and six rebounds per game. He was named to the Western Athletic Conference All-Newcomer Team by both the coaches and the media and was named honorable mention All-WAC by the coaches.
He transferred to BYU last year after earning All-America recognition at Utah Valley State College. He was named Big West Freshman of the Year while playing at Utah State University.