Ex-NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason's longtime sports radio partner, Craig Carton, has been suspended from New York station WFAN after his arrest Wednesday on federal charges he took part in a multimillion-dollar ticket fraud scheme.
The New York Post reported the co-host of the long-running "Boomer & Carton" show on WFAN was busted at his home in Manhattan on Wednesday morning. The New York Daily News reported he was arrested by FBI agents.
Federal prosecutors allege Carton and business partner Joseph Meli collected $3.6 million from investors in the scheme and that Carton pocketed another $2 million separately. Carton allegedly used his money to pay gambling debts to "casinos and other third parties," according to court documents obtained by the Post.
MORE: ESPN's Ryen Russillo apologizes for recent arrest
Carton is also facing federal wire and securities fraud charges, the Post reported.
Carton was released on $500,000 bond after appearing in federal court in Manhattan. He faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
WFAN announced Wednesday night (per the Post) it had suspended Carton indefinitely. The station also announced that former Giants quarterback Phil Simms would fill in for Carton on Thursday. Subsequent fill-in hosts will be announced "as needed," the station said.
Esiason, who also serves as an analyst for CBS Sports' "The NFL Today," and Carton, a former New Jersey radio shock jock, have been on the air together at WFAN for 10 years. Early in Wednesday morning's show, Esiason told listeners Carton had called in sick. After he was informed of his partner’s arrest, Esiason told his audience he was "taken aback and surprised by it just like I’m sure everyone else is."
As the country's first 24-hour all sports radio station, WFAN is the grandaddy of sports talk radio. ESPN recently profiled the legendary sports radio tandem of Mike Francesa and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo in the "30 for 30" documentary "Mike and the Mad Dog."
This article has been updated with additional details, including Carton's suspension.
