Take Two Interactive stockholders couldn't trust Ryan Brant (left) with their money, but apparently they could trust him to spend it.

The former Take Two CEO plead guilty yesterday to manipulating millions worth of company stock options. He also agreed to a lifetime ban on holding corporate office.

Who knows where the money went, but a Zillow search on Brant's home address (as provided by the Manhattan District Attorney's office) reveals a 5,895 square foot residence on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The house has an estimated value of more than $2.1 million.

That's a long way from Liberty City.

The New York Post reports this morning that in exchange for a plea bargain that will prevent jail time, Brant has agreed to testify against others:

Sources close to the investigation told The Post that Brant will aid the Manhattan district attorney's office and the SEC in building a case that centers on Take-Two's finances and its relationship with several game distribution companies...

In the latest probe, regulators are apparently eyeing the SoHo-based Take-Two's shipment of games. Last year, The Post reported that the company's internal distribution unit, Jack of All Games, had been extending payments to suppliers and had rising accounts receivable reserves - a form of protection against sharply dropping prices.

Bloomberg has more on the case, including word that supermodel Stephanie Seymour is Brant's stepmother. We note that Bloomberg reports Brant as residing in Bedford Corners, NY, not the Manhattan location mentioned by the D.A.'s office.

Take-Two itself was not a defendant in the case, and shares of its stock (TTWO) jumped $1.61 on news of Brant's guilty plea, closing yesterday at $20.97. The stock is up 18% for the year. Company spokesman Jim Ankner told Bloomberg: 

Ryan Brant is no longer an employee of the company, and it would not be appropriate to comment on any action of a private individual.

Despite the market's Wednesday optimism, analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan, expressed caution, noting that Take Two has not reported on its earnings for the last three quarters:

I think it's crazy to assume everything's wonderful at Take Two without having real tangible evidence of their performance.

On that score, the NY Post adds this quote from an unnamed source:

"Dealing with the [back-dated] options is easy - it's a straightforward accounting adjustment," the source said. "The reason they can't file, and that there is absolutely no guidance on when they will, is that [regulators have] doubts as to what is really there."

The Bloomberg report also raises questions as to whether further indictments may be pending in the Take Two case:

In his plea agreement, Brant, who appeared in court with a shaved head, promised to 'disclose all information' he has 'concerning any criminal conduct' and to testify, as the district attorney may require.