Former NBA pro-Keyon Dooling has been arrested for his role in a multi-million scheme that defrauded the league’s health and benefits plan.
The 41-year-old, who is the assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, was arrested on Wednesday by federal agents in a massive fraud case that includes 19 former NBA players and doctors. According to authorities, Dooling used his former role as National Basketball Players Association vice president to make false healthcare claims. Dooling spent 13 seasons in the NBA and played with seven different teams.
Dooling is accused of enticing people to join the scheme by promising to provide bogus invoices to back their false and fraudulent claims to the healthcare provider in exchange for money. He’s also suspected of getting phony invoices from Aamir Wahab, a California dentist, which he used to file his own false insurance claims. Dooling collected nearly $350,000 in plan proceeds based on this method. In total, approximately $5 million in deceitful claims were submitted. Former players in the scheme collectively only received about $2.5 million combined.
The feds have been investigating this case for several years now, allowing them to uncover a mountain of evidence. In an April 2018 text conversation with Wahab, the men discussed getting more people on board with the scam.
“Lol I’m down bro…Get me the whole NBA [laughing emoji],” Wahab texted Dooling.
Keyon Dooling has been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. The Utah Jazz has placed him on paid administrative leave.
