Clinton Portis and Joe Horn among a dozen ex NFL footballers to face 20 years in the slammer. Their crime? Allegedly defrauding the NFL health care system.
Clinton Portis and Joe Horn Accused of Defrauding the NFL Health Care System, Could Pay $250,000 In Fines
As reported by CNN, expected charges include –
- Conspiracy
- Health Care Fraud
- Wire Fraud
If convicted, Clinton Portis, Joe Horn and the others are facing 20 years in prison, and up to $250,000 in fines.
Accused of defrauding the NFL and stealing money from the league’s healthcare program, this is a serious matter. Federal officials say the scheme was cooked up by Portis and at least 9 other ex-NFL players from June 2017 to December 2018. Allegedly, the players were in it to make money off of the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Plan.
Included Defendants –
- Clinton Portis, a former running back (Washington Redskins / Denver Broncos);
- Joe Horn, a former wide receiver (New Orleans Saints)
- Robert McCune, a former linebacker (Washington Redskins);
- John Eubanks, a former cornerback (Washington Redskins);
- Tamarick Vanover, a former wide receiver (Kansas City Chiefs);
- Ceandris “C.C.” Brown, a former safety (Houston Texans);
- James Butler, a former safety (New York Giants / St. Louis Rams);
- Fredrick Bennett, a former defensive back (Houston Texans);
- Etric Pruitt, a former defensive back (Atlanta Falcons / Seattle Seahawks);
- Carlos Rogers, a former cornerback (Washington Redskins / San Francisco 49ers);
- Correll Buckhalter, a former running back (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Donald “Reche” Caldwell former wide receiver (San Diego Chargers / New England Patriots)
According to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, officials say the scheme was simple. Though the plan was designed to help retired players pay for their legitimate medical bills, Portis and the former players allegedly made up fake claims, submitted them to the plan and were later reimbursed. That is a illegal, that is a crime.
The Healthcare Plan Already Paid Out $3.4 Million Dollars In False Claims
Some of the fraudulent claims, according to officials, included the players looking to be reimbursed for medical equipment that was never purchased, including –
- pricey hyperbaric oxygen chambers
- ultrasound machines
- electromagnetic therapy devices (designed for use on horses).
Each claim was for $40 to $50 thousand dollars each, as reported by CNN.
Though the plan paid out more than $3.4 MILLION to the former NFL players, their scheme was eventually discovered by investigators.
“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,” – Brian Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General
No word on whether or not Clinton Portis has already been arrested for his alleged role in the scam, but DOJ officials do confirm that 4 of the men have already been arrested. Another 6 have agreed to voluntarily turn themselves in.
The NFL and NFLPA are aware of its probe, and the investigation is ongoing.
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