SPORTS: FORMER CHICAGO RUSH OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD

David Staral Jr. was Young and flashy, the Porsche-driving McHenry County native made himself out to be a rich wunderkind financial adviser who would save the Arena Football League's marquee franchise. He talked a big game, promising his ownership would bring a "whole new ballgame" for fans.

But in reality, Staral was an All-Star fraud whose deception played a role in the demise of the indoor football team. A three-time convicted felon, he was still on probation for embezzling from a previous employer at the time the league announced his purchase of the Rush. He'd been dogged by lawsuits and liens for bilking tens of thousands of dollars from investors. And at just 34, Staral had twice filed for bankruptcy — yet managed to convince the league's commissioner he was worth millions.

In sentencing Staral to 3 1/2 years in prison Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman said he'd never seen anyone in his nearly two decades on the bench who'd pulled off such a variety of scams over such a long period of time.