10 former NFL players, including Clinton Portis, charged in multi-million dollar fraud scheme
Ten former NFL players, including Clinton Portis, have been accused of participating in a nationwide fraud ring that sought to bilk more than $3.9 million from a health care program for retired NFL players, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Prosecutors allege the group targeted the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan, which was established in the 2006 collective bargaining agreement. It provides tax-free reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical care expenses not covered by insurance incurred by former players, their wives and their dependents with a maximum of $350,000 per player.
The indictments, filed in federal court in Kentucky, alleges that more than $3.4 million in fraudulent claims were paid between 2017 and December 2018. The indictment alleges that scheme involved claims for expensive medical equipment — typically between $40,000 and $50,000 for each claim — that was never purchased or received.
Those charged include Portis, Robert McCune, John Eubanks, Tamarick Vanover, Carlos Rogers, Ceandris Brown, James Butler, Fredrick Bennett, Correll Buckhalter, and Etric Pruitt.
Buchalter resides in Colleyville, according to the charging documents. Brown lives in Fresno, Texas.
“Ten former NFL players allegedly committed a brazen, multi-million dollar fraud on a health care plan meant to help their former teammates and other retired players pay legitimate, out-of-pocket medical expenses,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski in a written statement. “Today’s indictments underscore that whoever you are, if you loot health care programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”
As part of the scheme, the defendants allegedly fabricated documents for the claims, including invoices, prescriptions and letters.
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 11:38 AM.
