File 1998 / DMN

Michael Kiselak warms up at Cowboys training camp in 1998.

DALLAS — A former Dallas Cowboys player is being accused of defrauding investors.

In court papers filed Monday, the Securities and Exchange Commission claims Michael Kiselak convinced friends and family members to invest $24 million through him.

Investigators say Kiselak claimed the money was being invested in Treasury bills, but instead, they say much of it went to venture capital investments, such as vineyards and a private jet.

The SEC says $7 million in investor funds is currently unaccounted for.

Kiselak, who now lives in Westlake, had seven starts at center for the Cowboys in 1998. He was on the team roster in 1999, but made no starts.

According to his online biography, he had previously played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and was named the CFL's "lineman of the year" in two consecutive seasons.

Kiselak's biography said he founded the Sports Business Network "to help move athletes from game plans to business plans."

E-mail chawes@wfaa.com