Search warrant issued in UNC agent-related probe

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Investigators have issued a search warrant for the financial records of NFL agent Gary Wichard as they continue looking into whether North Carolina's sports agent laws have been broken.

The search warrant was issued Tuesday to Bank of America for certain financial documents connected to Wichard and his California-based firm, Pro Tect Management LLC, since January 2009.

North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall's office launched an investigation after the NCAA began looking into possible agent-related benefits in North Carolina's football program.

Marshall spokesman George Jeter said Wednesday the search warrant was “definitely a step forward in the investigation.”

The NFL Players Association suspended Wichard in December for nine months for his role in the UNC probe.