NYC Radio: Craig Carton EXITS WFAN

Craig Carton

A day after breaking his silence and saying that he would come back stronger than ever, Craig Carton has resigned from WFAN.

In a statement released through a publicist Wednesday night, the morning radio co-host of “Boomer and Carton” explained his decision a week after being arrested on charges that he was behind a $5.6 million Ponzi scheme to repay his own gambling debts.

“Unfortunately, the unfounded legal issues currently plaguing me will only be a distraction to everyone at WFAN and the show I helped build,” the statement read. “With that in mind, I have submitted my resignation to the station and they accepted. I am sad to see this chapter of my life close but know that it will allow me to focus on my family, my well-being and clearing my name, while giving the show the best opportunity to succeed without further disruption.

“I’ve always felt a personal connection to our listeners and want to thank them for making me a part of their daily routine. I hope they can respect the fact that as much as I want to talk about the allegations against me I can’t at this time. There will come a time when I will be able to speak directly about the case and I hope our listeners will be there.”

Carton, who had been suspended from the station since the day he was arrested, thanked his family, friends, listeners and executives at WFAN and CBS Radio after a 10-year run at his “dream job.”

The NY Post reports Carton is facing charges of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud for allegedly taking money from investors for a sham ticket-reselling operation that promised big returns, Carton and co-defendant Michael Wright could face up to 45 years in jail if convicted.

Carton was released on $500,000 bail and his lawyer, Robert C. Gottlieb, has called the government’s allegations “a gross misunderstanding of what happened.”

The case may not go to trial until mid-to-late 2018, according to white-collar criminal attorney Richard Roth of the Roth Law Firm in New York.

With Carton officially out at WFAN, the station will need to fill his spot. Phil Simms has been one of the fill-ins alongside Boomer Esiason in the interim. Potential candidates include Simms, his son Chris Simms, Kim Jones, Chris Carlin, Evan Roberts and Sid Rosenberg.

The station already was searching for a replacement for Mike Francesa, who is set to leave the station after 30 years when his contract expires on Dec. 15, but he told The Post on Tuesday he was willing to discuss delaying the departure.

Here is the statement released by Carton:

“For 10 years I’ve had the great privilege of showing up to work every day at my dream job. I have nothing but love and respect for my co-host, the show and the entire CBS Radio family and I’ve always tried to represent them in the best possible light. 

Unfortunately, the unfounded legal issues currently plaguing me will only be a distraction to everyone at WFAN and the show I helped build. With that in mind, I have submitted my resignation to the station and they accepted. I am sad to see this chapter of my life close but know that it will allow me to focus on my family, my well-being and clearing my name, while giving the show the best opportunity to succeed without further disruption. 

I’ve always felt a personal connection to our listeners and want to thank them for making me a part of their daily routine. I hope they can respect the fact that as much as I want to talk about the allegations against me I can’t at this time. There will come a time when I will be able to speak directly about the case and I hope our listeners will be there. 

From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank my family, friends, listeners and especially the executives at WFAN and CBS Radio for their continued understanding and for giving me the most amazing platform to do what I love to do the most, besides being with my family.”

In response, CBS Radio a short statement:

“WFAN has accepted Craig Carton’s resignation. We appreciate all of his contributions over the last decade and wish him and his family well during this next phase. We are especially grateful to our dedicated employees, sponsors and listeners for their continued support of THE FAN. The search for a replacement co-host for the morning show will begin immediately.”