Clarett posts $50,000 bond for club robbery

The strange saga of Maurice Clarett took another turn Tuesday when Clarett posted a $50,000 bond for charges of aggravated robbery.

Clarett, a key player in Ohio State's 2002 National Championship football victory over Miami, has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery after an incident at the Opium Lounge at 346 S. High St. on Jan. 1. He turned himself over to authorities following the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

According to a police report from the Columbus Division of Police, an unknown gunman accosted Lucas Nyarko, 28, and Tywona Douglas, 30, outside of the nightclub on Jan. 1.

Nyarko and Douglas said they stepped outside of the nightclub to get some air when the gunman approached them and said he needed something, the report stated. Douglas then asked the gunman "Are you going to rob us?," the report stated.

The police report stated that the robber told the victims to empty their pockets and Nyarko proceeded to give the gunman his cell phone. The victims said they saw the gunman lift his shirt and show them what they thought was a black .45 caliber handgun, the report stated.

When the club's owner, Tashana Corvi, stepped outside, she identified the gunman as Clarett, the police report stated. The robber then grabbed Corvi, carried her to a white sport utility vehicle and set her down. The robber then entered the SUV and sped away.

Percy Squire, Clarett's lawyer, said he expects Clarett to enter a plea of not guilty in Municipal Court, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Squire did not return phone calls placed after 5 p.m. by The Lantern.

In the 2002 football season, Clarett led OSU to its first National Championship in more than a quarter century. Following the win, Clarett's saga - in both Columbus and at OSU - has been plagued with problems. The following year he was suspended by the NCAA for receiving illegal gifts. He then filed a false police report claiming $10,000 worth of goods were stolen from him.

After leaving OSU, Clarett signed briefly with the Denver Broncos where he was later cut from the team.

Clarett is scheduled for a pre-trial on Jan. 12 at 10 a.m.