19 Ex-NBA Stars, 1 Spouse Charged in Health Care Fraud Scheme, New York 2023
The feds have brought the heat on 19 former NBA stars and one spouse, charging them with a massive health care fraud scheme that drained nearly $4,000,000 from the National Basketball Association’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. The scheme, which ran from at least 2017 to 2020, involved the defendants submitting false claims for medical equipment and services they never received.
The defendants, who include Terrence Williams, Alan Anderson, Desiree Allen, Shannon Brown, and many others, were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. Terrence Williams, the mastermind behind the scheme, was also charged with aggravated identity theft.
The scheme was uncovered through a joint investigation by the FBI and the NYPD, which worked tirelessly to bring the defendants to justice. As part of the indictment, 18 of the defendants were arrested and will be presented in various federal court districts across the country.
The defendants will face serious consequences if convicted. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit health care fraud is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Terrence Williams, who was charged with aggravated identity theft, faces a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison.
The National Basketball Association’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan provides benefits to eligible active and former players of the NBA. The plan is funded by contributions from the NBA and its players. The scheme, which involved the submission of false claims for medical equipment and services, was designed to defraud the plan out of nearly $4,000,000.
The defendants will face a difficult road ahead as they try to navigate the complex and often confusing world of health care fraud. The charges against them are serious and carry significant penalties. If convicted, they will face prison time, fines, and other consequences. The court will determine their fate.
Defendant Names: Terrence Williams, Alan Anderson, Desiree Allen, Shannon Brown, William Bynum, Ronald Glen 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
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud (20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000), Aggravated identity theft (2 years in prison)
City and State: New York
Exact Date: The scheme ran from at least 2017 to 2020
Sentence or Outcome: The defendants will face prison time, fines, and other consequences if convicted
Dollar Amounts: Nearly $4,000,000
Related Federal Cases
- Letitia James, Health Insurance Fraud, New York 2023 · Ohio
- James Doe, $100M Fraud Scheme, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Christopher Ferguson, Scheme to Inflate Order Numbers, New York 2023 · New York
- Todd Faustin, Workers’ Compensation Fraud, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Kenneth Thom, Investment Adviser Fraud, New York NY, 2026 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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