Former NBA pro Terrence Williams will spend a decade behind bars for being the ringleader in an elaborate healthcare fraud operation.
The sentence was handed down on Thursday, concluding a lengthy investigation that unearthed a plot that brought in millions. Investigators have concluded that Williams recruited other former NBA players to defraud the league’s healthcare plan out of at least $5 million, CBS Sports reports. Allegedly, he had his fellow retired players submit bogus invoices for medical services they never received. In addition to fraud, Williams was also charged with identity theft for impersonating a healthcare manager who’d previously questioned receipts. Williams imitated the representative to threaten players who had not paid their kickbacks.
Several medical claims raised questions with reviewers. In one instance, ex-Boston Celtics players Tony Allen said he received six crowns. The issue is that he allegedly underwent the dental work on the same day as another player, coincidentally on the same set of teeth. Williams is accused of recruiting 18 other players to carry out the ruse. Additionally, a doctor, chiropractor, and dentist also benefited from the elaborate ring that ran from 2017 to 2020. Still, the United States Attorney’s Office maintains it was Williams who brought the many scammers together.
“Williams led a wide-ranging scheme to steal millions of dollars from the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Williams recruited medical professionals and others to expand his criminal conspiracy and maximize his ill-gotten gains,” U.S. attorney Damian Williams explained.
Williams entered the NBA during the 2009 draft, heading to the then-New Jersey Nets, which is now the Brooklyn Nets. He also played for the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings before retiring in 2013. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty last year for his role. He must also pay back $3.1 million in restitution.
