Interim University President B. Joseph White has sternly stated in a letter to the University community last week that he would urge banned booster Ed Martin to "fess up" about the latest indictment.

In fewer than two months, Ed Martin will not need White's prodding as he may have to fully discuss his involvement with four former Michigan basketball players.

Ed Martin could accept a possible plea bargain if he wants to avoid a trial on charges of an illegal gambling business, a U.S. attorney told The Associated Press Thursday.

Prosecutor Rick Convertino told Martin's lawyer, William Mitchell, on Wednesday in court that any possible plea bargain will require "full cooperation" from Martin.

U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland has set a trial date for June 17 and said that Martin has until May 28 to figure out whether he wants to stand trial or plead guilty.

Ed Martin allegedly loaned former Michigan basketball players Chris Webber, Maurice Taylor, Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock a total of $616,000 while they were donning the maize and blue - with Webber, who now plays for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association, allegedly receiving $280,000. Should these allegations be proven true, the NCAA could possibly slap Michigan with probation, television and postseason bans or scholarship reductions.

Ed Martin and his wife, Hilda, were arrested March 21 on charges of money laundering, running an illegal gambling ring and conspiracy. Martin allegedly laundered the profits he gained in running his illegal gambling ring in Detroit auto plants by loaning it to these former Michigan basketball players before they turned professional.

Both Martins have pleaded innocent and were released on a $10,000 bond each.

Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin said on March 25 that he's confident the truth will come out.

"If Ed Martin plea bargains we will act on that," he said.

But Ed Martin's court history does not suggest that he will definitely plea bargain. On May 3, 2000, Ed Martin backed out of an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office, which would have required him to disclose all information about his alleged payments to Michigan basketball players. Ed Martin's son, Carlton, pleaded guilty to federal gambling charges when he confronted a similar situation on January 30, 2001.

If Ed Martin gives full disclosure in a plea bargain, it will help the University tremendously in finally finding the truth surrounding the allegations of one of the biggest scandals in college sports history, while also aiding the NCAA in deciding the fate of Michigan's basketball program and any possible penalties.

Webber, the biggest star of the "Fab Five," denied the allegations of receiving $280,000 from Martin last week and said that the "truth" will come out soon.

His lawyer, Fallasha Erwin, said that an exclusive interview with Webber could happen in two weeks with the Sacramento Bee.

"What we're going to do is, at a designated time when we aren't in the middle of a championship run or a long road trip, I will sit down and discuss most of these issues," Webber said.

But if Ed Martin decides not to plead, and his case goes to trial, Webber and the other former Wolverines mentioned in the indictment could be forced to testify.

Whatever happens in the Ed Martin saga, White said that the University's plan is to "face the music - no excuses, no complaints, no hoping it will go away."

"If true, we will take our medicine and any other actions we deem necessary and appropriate to square the record of that era with the alleged corrupt behavior of our former players," White said in the letter.