NBA champions, other former players charged in alleged scheme to defraud league's health benefit plan
Terrence Williams was alleged ringleader while Glen Davis, Tony Allen and Shannon Brown among those charged
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More than a dozen current and former NBA players were charged in New York federal court in an alleged health insurance and fraud scheme, according to law enforcement sources and court documents.
Alan Anderson, Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Will Bynum, Glen Davis, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Melvin Ely, Jamario Moon, Darius Miles, Milt Palacio, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Greg Smith, Sebastian Telfair, C.J. Watson, Terrence Williams, Antoine Wright and Tony Wroten were among the NBA veterans who were charged in the scheme. Allen’s wife, Desiree, was also named in the indictment.
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Terrence Williams #55 of the Sacramento Kings in a game against the Houston Rockets on April 08, 2012 at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Each of those named in the documents faces a count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud. Williams is additionally facing aggravated identity theft.
According to the court documents, those mentioned were allegedly "engaged in a widespread scheme" to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan of nearly $4 million.
Williams is accused of being the ringleader of the plan. He allegedly "recruited other plan participants to defraud the plan by offering to supply them with false invoices to support their false and fraudulent claims to the plan in exchange for kickbacks to Williams."
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Williams allegedly impersonated a person who processed the claims and he was allegedly paid about $230,000.
Officials said Williams started submitting fraudulent claims in November 2017. He allegedly submitted fake invoices from a chiropractic office and used other former players to further defraud the plan using fake invoices from the chiropractic office, two dental offices and a wellness office. In any instance, officials said there were no services ever given.
Williams played in the NBA from 2009 to 2013 with four different teams.
Glen Davis #11 is sprayed with champagne by Tony Allen #42 of the Boston Celtics after the Celtics' win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 17, 2008 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Allen and Davis won a championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. Shannon Brown was a two-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. Miles starred with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2000 to 2002 and was in the Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson flick, "The Perfect Score."
Darius Miles #21 of the Rookies chats with Los Angeles Clipper teammate Lamar Odom #7 of the Sophmores during the 2001 Rookie Challenge on February 10, 2001 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics tries to grab the loose ball in the first half against the Atlanta Hawks on December 16, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Patterson was known as the "Kobe Stopper" for his defensive ability against the late great Lakers superstar. Telfair was a highly touted high school prospect. He was sentenced to more than three years in prison in a New York City gun case in 2019.
Ruben Patterson #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers is defended by Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Rose Garden on April 20, 2005 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 106-103. (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images / Getty Images)
"Today’s federal indictment represents the NYPD’s long-term commitment, working with its law enforcement partners, in making sure those accused of health care related fraud are held accountable," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said. "I commend those involved in the investigation, the FBI, and the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District in New York for its work in ensuring there is justice in this case."
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Four players remain at-large: Tony Allen, Douglas-Roberts, Smith and Robinson.