By Trey Wallace & Oliver Connolly

The nine University of Florida football players who have been suspended indefinitely by the school for misuse of school funds, are also under investigation for credit card fraud, by two separate police departments in the Gainesville area, relating to an additional credit card fraud allegation.

Jordan Smith, a freshman defensive end, was suspended from all team activates after a report from The Read Optional that Smith had used stolen credit card information to pay rent at an apartment complex — around $1,000 dollars.

The credit card company blocked the charge, leading to an investigation by the Gainesville Police Department. Only one other player was initially connected to the Smith case — a separate case from the student aid fraud investigation (though the second player was involved in both).

Now, The Read Optional understands that several players have been linked to both cases.

The Gainesville PD and the University of Florida PD have been working in conjunction on multiple investigations once it came to light that they were investigating fraud claims involving the same victim.

The link between the misuse of funds investigation and apartment fraud investigation is now clear: Several of the players had the same stolen credit card information; the same victim.

That victim has been cooperating with both police departments.

The Read Optional has also confirmed that UFPD has found more than one victim of stolen credit card information.

Seven players were initially suspended following a report from The Read Optional that they had misused student aid funds — using debit cards to buy electronic equipment, before selling it for cash and claiming the cards stolen. Two weeks later, two further players were also suspended indefinitely, with both believed to be tied to the original student aid story.

Florida head coach Jim McElwain and athletic director Scott Stricklin have been vague on the details of the case for over a month now. Both have avoided direct accusations, citing “mistakes” and saying the process would be handled in-house. They neither confirmed nor denied the initial allegations as they continued to conduct an investigation into deeper credit card fraud.

Several student-athletes are expected to be interviewed this week. The investigation had been placed on hold due to Hurricane Irma.