THE father of Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber was arraigned Tuesday on charges of lying to a grand jury about the NBA player’s dealings with a University of Michigan booster.

　　An innocent plea was entered on behalf of Mayce Webber Jr., who was indicted Sept. 9 along with his son. Also indicted that day was Charlene Johnson, Chris Webber’s aunt.

　　All three defendants face the same two charges — lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice. The maximum penalty on each charge is five years in prison and a US$250,000 fine.

　　According to the indictment, Mayce Webber lied to the grand jury June 14, 2000, regarding the amount of money paid to him and his son by Michigan booster Ed Martin. On Aug. 2, 2000, Chris Webber and his aunt lied to the grand jury, the indictment alleges.

　　In May, Martin, a retired autoworker, testified that he gave Chris Webber — whose full legal name is Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III — about US$280,000 in cash and gifts and that he paid for other college expenses.

　　Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, admitting he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to Webber and other players while they were still amateurs. Martin is to be sentenced Oct. 8.(SD-Agencies)