Ten retired NFL players have been accused of defrauding the NFL’s health care benefits program for retirees, including former pro bowler Clinton Portis.
The players were charged with fraud by a grand jury in an indictment unsealed Thursday, according to a report published by CNN.
DOJ’s press conference is now underway, but here’s how the alleged scheme worked https://t.co/kVYgMzPeDQ pic.twitter.com/gF8njtzg1m
— Rick Maese (@RickMaese) December 12, 2019
Each player charged “personally profited” by the scheme which lasted from June of 2017 to December of 2018 and resulted in $3.9 million in fraudulent claims, the indictment claimed.
“The defendants allegedly submitted false claims to the plan and obtained money for expensive medical equipment that was never purchased or received, depriving that plan of valuable resources to help others meet their medical needs.” U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr., for the Eastern District of Kentucky, said in a Justice Department news release. (RELATED: Ryan Mallett Arrested For Allegedly Driving Drunk)
NFL retirees charged in the case include:
- Portis of the Redskins
- Robert McCune of the Redskins
- John Eubanks of the Redskins
- Tamarick Vanover of the Chiefs
- Ceandris “C.C.” Brown of the Texans
- James Butler of the Rams
- Fredrick Bennett of the Texans
- Etric Pruitt of the Seahawks
- Carlos Rogers of the 49ers
- Correll Buckhalter of the Eagles
Joseph Horn of the Saints and Donald “Reche” Caldwell of the Patriots are also going to be charged in the scheme.
The Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan was “established to help their former teammates and colleagues pay for legitimate medical expenses,” Duncan Jr. said.