Former NBA Players Indicted in Health Insurance Fraud Scam

Eighteen former NBA players were indicted in federal court Thursday for defrauding the basketball league’s health and welfare benefit plan out of about $4 million.

Among those who allegedly participated in the scam, which was carried out from at least 2017 to 2020, includes former Nets player Terrence Williams, the accused ring leader of the scheme, former Lakers guard Shannon Brown, and Ronald Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, who played for the Celtics, Magic and Clippers.

Also listed in the indictment are Alan Anderson, Anthony Allen, William Bynum, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, Melvin Ely, Jamario Moon, Darius Miles, Milton Palacio, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Gregory Smith, Sebastian Telfair, Charles Watson Jr., Antoine Wright, and Anthony Wroten.

Anthony Allen’s wife, Desiree Allen, was also charged.

Each defendant faces a count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud.

Per the indictment, the former players ripped off the league’s benefits plan by submitting false reimbursement claims for medical and dental expenses that were never rendered.  Allegedly, the claims totaled about $3.9 million, of which around only $2.5 million of the fraudulent funds went to the defendants.