Former NBA champions Glen Davis, Tony Allen and Shannon Brown are among 18 former players charged on Thursday with defrauding the league’s health and welfare benefit plan.
The arrests were carried out by FBI agents across the country following the three-year scheme.
The players submitted claims for about $4 million worth of medical and dental appointments that never happened, and received $2.5 million in reimbursements.
The 18 players earned $343 million combined over their NBA careers, excluding endorsements.
THE PLAYER WHO STARTED THE SCHEME
Terrence Williams, who was drafted 11th overall by the New Jersey Nets in 2009, was the alleged ringleader.
Williams is said to have started and conducted the scam, while recruiting other former players to join him.
He reportedly received at least $230,000 in kickback payments from 10 other players.
THE CHARGES
All of the players were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, which can mean up to 20 years in prison.
Williams was also charged with aggravated identity theft, which carries a potential penalty of up to two years behind bars.
THE NBA’S RESPONSE
The NBA released the following statement on Thursday:
“The benefit plans provided by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association to our players are critically important to support their health and well-being throughout their playing careers and over the course of their lives which makes these allegations particularly disheartening. We will cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this matter.”
THE FULL LIST OF PLAYERS INVOLVED
Sebastian Telfair
Antoine Wright
Charles Watson
Darius Miles
Ruben Patterson
Eddie Robinson
Gregory Smith
Glen Davis
Jamario Moon
Terrence Williams
Alan Anderson
Tony Allen
Shannon Brown
William Bynum
Melvin Ely
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Tony Wroten
Milt Palacio