On October 7, 2021, nearly 20 ex-NBA players were arrested and indicted in an alleged $4 million scheme to defraud the NBA health plan. All 18 NBA veterans face a count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud.
The following are the names of the players in the indictment:
Terrence Wiliams
Anthony “Tony” Allen (and his wife, Desiree Allen)
Darius Miles
Shannon Brown
Ruben Patterson
Ronald Glen “Big Baby” Davis
Alan Anderson
Jamario Moon
Gregory Smith
Antoine Wright
Sebastian Telfair
Melvin Ely
Christopher Douglas-Roberts
William Bynum
Milton Palacio
Anthony Wroten
Eddie Robinson
Chrles Watson Jr.
According to federal prosecutors, the three-year conspiracy was led by Terrence Williams in 2017. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2009 draft and played for the Nets, Celtics, Rockets, and Kings over four seasons as a role player, averaging over seven points a game. He hasn’t appeared in the league since he was waived by Boston in 2013.
In November 2017, Williams allegedly submitted a fake invoice from a chiropractor’s office for treatment he did not receive. The NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit plan reimbursed him over $7,600.
Willaims then recruited other players to participate in the scheme, sending false invoices from a chiropractor and dentist to other former players in exchange for a cut of the profits. According to court papers, at least 10 former players paid a total of approximately $230,000 in kickbacks.
Conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud is punishable by federal imprisonment for up to 20 years. Additionally, Williams was also charged with aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum federal prison sentence of two years.
The charges came just weeks after a number of retired NFL players, including Clinton Portis and Tamarick Vanover, pleaded guilty in a health care fraud scheme that involved submitting claims for nearly $4 million medical equipment that they never bought.
If you have been accused of federal health care fraud in Massachusetts, New York, or New Hampshire, call Brad Bailey Law at (617) 500-0252 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation. With more than 50 years of legal experience, which includes serving as a state and federal prosecutor, Attorney Brad Bailey understands what it takes to serious federal cases.