Former WFAN Host Craig Carton Returns to Radio as Host of ‘Carton & Friends’

Ex-“Boomer & Carton Show” host was arrested by FBI in September and charged with running a fake-ticket scheme

WFAN's Boomer and Carton
WFAN's Boomer and Carton

Craig Carton is headed back on to radio. Well, not the terrestrial kind — or the satellite version, for that matter.

The former WFAN host, who was arrested by the FBI in September and charged with running a fake-ticket scheme, is returning to the digital airwaves tomorrow, when SportsGrid launches his new “Carton & Friends” program.

The daily weekday show will be broadcast live 9 a.m. ET to 1 p.m. ET from Manhattan’s FNTSY Sports Network’s Studio 34, which is located inside Rock & Reilly’s gastropub on the fifth floor of the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel.

Yes, fans can have a pint and some wings and watch the madness unfold in front of them.

But for those with a job, “Carton & Friends” will air live for free on FNTSY Sports Radio NetworkiHeart and TuneIn, as well as on additional platforms. Listeners can also catch the show on-demand via iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher, among other apps. Additionally, live video simulcasts will stream on YouTube, Twitter, Twitch.tv, Periscope, Mixer and Facebook. Those are free too.

“Carton & Friends,” which we guess is basically a podcast, will be produced by Chris Cannon. Carton (pictured above, right, with his former WFAN partner Boomer Esiason) will be joined in-studio by veteran radio host Corey Parson and MMA analyst Michelle Serpico.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to the airwaves live in Manhattan and create some amazing content with a company that has already established relationships with the same demographic of listeners that are loyal to me,” Carton said. “Together we will become the show of choice for this audience and we will continue to engage with them on the airwaves, as well as through the many platforms that SportsGrid has.”

“Craig is one of the iconic voices in the industry, and his return to the airwaves is a victory for all of sports radio and his fans,” added Louis M. Maione, president of SportsGrid. “The debut of Carton & Friends is just the beginning of our exciting growth plans. Being able to launch with a seasoned talent from and in New York City is just one signal that we are curating the best in class content that is set to be a major force in all sports, news and entertainment.”

In addition to the FNTSY Sports Radio Network, SportsGrid also operates a number of fantasy sports websites.

Oh, and about that ticket scheme thing. Carton and partner Michael Wright told investors that they had access to discounted blocks of tickets to sporting and music events, which they could turn around and sell for a profit, per the FBI. However, that access never actually existed and written agreements provided to investors were fraudulent. The millions raised were “misappropriated” and used in part to “pay personal debts and repay prior investors as part of a Ponzi-like scheme,” per the agency.

Carton and Wright have been charged with securities fraud and wire fraud; their trial is expected to begin in the fall.

The conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The securities fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

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