THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BECKLEY, W.Va. -- The former agent to New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of providing a false statement to a bank.

Dante DiTrapano of Charleston faces up to 30 years in prison and a US$1-million fine for his guilty plea Thursday. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 14 in U.S. District Court in Beckley.

Federal prosecutors say DiTrapano falsely represented that he and another individual would be jointly liable for a $500,000 loan from United Bank. DiTrapano then forged the other individual's signature on the loan papers and returned them to the bank.

Prosecutors say DiTrapano then used $40,000 of the loan for non-loan related purposes. Moss dropped DiTrapano as his agent in 2006.