The trial has been set for former Binghamton University basketball star D.J. Rivera.
He will stand trial locally in March on charges that he stole a debit card and made hundreds of dollars in purchases from the Vestal Wal-Mart. He then allegedly tried to sell those items back.
Rivera was in court Thursday for a pre-trial hearing. The prosecution played a videotape of an interview that Rivera gave to investigators after the incident. In the taped interview, he admitted to finding the debit card on the floor at a party and then using it, but insists the four teammates with him at the time were not aware that the card was not Rivera’s.
Authorities disagree. Rivera and the four teammates involved in the incident were kicked off the basketball team by then coach Kevin Broadus after the allegations surfaced.
The trial will start on March 21.