According to an indictment that was brought into a New York City federal court, 18 former professional basketball players have been charged with defrauding the NBA’s health and welfare benefit plan out of approximately $4 million.
The defendants are as follows:
Terrence Williams
Alan Anderson
Anthony Allen
Desiree Allen
Shannon Brown
William Bynum
Ronald Glen “Big Baby” Davis
Christopher Douglas-Roberts
Melvin Ely
Jamario Moon
Darius Miles
Milton Palacio
Ruben Patterson
Eddie Robinson
Gregory Smith
Sebastian Telfair
Charles Watson Jr.
Antoine Wright
Anthony Wroten
It is uncertain at this time if all 18 former players charged have been arrested.
Those involved in the scheme defrauded the NBA’s healthcare plan by submitting false medical and dental claims in order to get reimbursed. The ex-players received roughly $2.5 million of the $3.9 million in false claims that they submitted, according to the Associated Press.
At the time of this article’s publishing, it is believed the scheme was carried out from 2017-2020.
According to NBC New York, Terrence Williams, who spent four years in the NBA with the Nets, Celtics, Rockets, and Kings is believed to be the leader of the scheme. He’s accused of receiving at least $230,000 in kickback payments.
Each of the 18 former players that have been charged faces a count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud.
This article first appeared on AMNY.com
