Craig Carton following his court appearance Wednesday.

In a quick-moving story, WFAN morning show co-host Craig Carton has been suspended indefinitely by CBS Radio. Carton, half of the “Boomer & Carton” show that’s also simulcast on CBS Sports Network, was arrested Wednesday by Federal agents on securities, wire and conspiracy charges that he ran a Ponzi scheme in regards to a fake ticket scam.

According to Newsday’s Neil Best, Carton will be on leave while CBS Radio will utilize various fill-ins to co-host with Boomer Esiason. The first co-host will be Esiason’s fellow CBS NFL Today analyst Phil Simms:

Other co-hosts will be named at a later date, but this couldn’t come at a worse time for WFAN. Its other major host, Mike Francesa is scheduled to leave in December, but with Carton on ice for who knows how long, WFAN would be hampered in both of the major dayparts, mornings and afternoons. CBS Radio could be forced to pay the piper to keep Francesa while it figures out what to do with the morning show.

The news about Carton has hit CBS Radio hard just as it enters the fall as the Yankees are in a pennant race and the NFL is about to start. It’s an interesting circle as Carton and Esiason had to replace Don Imus in 2007 following his firing over controversial comments regarding the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Now WFAN is in a similar crisis as Carton faces federal charges.

This may be the last we have heard of Carton on the radio. And if CBS Radio decides to let him go, even if he’s found not guilty of the charges, it may be difficult for him to find another gig.

[Neil Best Twitter]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.