A former National Basketball Association player has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges, having been accused of being the ringleader of a scheme to defraud the league’s health plan of millions of dollars through fake medical claims.
Terrence Williams, a former New Jersey Nets player, entered his plea before US District Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan, Reuters reported.
The former player has agreed to pay US$2.5 million in restitution to the NBA plan and forfeit US$653,673 to the United States, according to the report. He could face 10 to 12 years in prison, with a mandatory two-year term for identity theft, Reuters said.
Prosecutors reportedly accused Williams of recruiting players to submit false invoices for medical and dental work that was not carried out, in exchange for kickbacks of at least US$300,000.
At least $5 million of false claims were submitted in the scheme, prosecutors reportedly argued, with defendants benefitting to the tune of US$2.5 million.
Williams was also accused of impersonating others. This included a health plan manager, who he alleged impersonated to "frighten” a player who had not paid a kickback, Reuters reported.
Six of the at least 24 people charged have reportedly pled guilty. Those charged include a dentist, a doctor, and a chiropractor, according to the report.
Former players Chris Douglas-Roberts, Jamario Moon, Eddie Robinson, and Anthony Wroten are among players to have reportedly pleaded guilty.
Patrick Khaziran, a Los Angeles chiropractor, has also reportedly entered a guilty plea.
Former Boston Celtics players Tony Allen and Glen Davis have pleaded not guilty. Invoices reportedly showed them receiving crowns on the same six teeth on the same day, and Davis receiving crowns on eight teeth in Beverley Hills when he was in Nevada.
