Former NBA player, ringleader of association health scheme, pleads guilty in fraud case
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On Friday, former NBA player Terrence Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud.
Williams, who played in the NBA for four seasons, was the ringleader of 18 players involved in a scheme to defraud the NBA health care plan out of more than $5 million.
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Terrence Williams #1 of the New Jersey Nets drives against Stephen Jackson #1 of the Charlotte Bobcats on November 3, 2010 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
(Lou Capozolla/NBAE via Getty Images)
According to the indictment, the players submitted false bills to the NBA Health Benefits Plan for reimbursements.
“Williams led a scheme involving more than 18 former NBA players, a dentist, physician and chiropractor, to defraud the multimillion-dollar NBA Players Health and Wellness Benefits Plan,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian. Williams said in a statement. « Williams also impersonated others to help him take what wasn’t his – money that belonged to the plan. »
Terrence Williams #55 of the Sacramento Kings walks to the bench during a timeout in a game against the New Jersey Nets on March 31, 2012, at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, California,
(Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Williams also created another email account to threaten a doctor who created fraudulent bills for the former player. This account was contacted by the NBA so the doctor could pay Williams. Authorities said Williams himself collected around $346,000 from the NBA.
Williams agreed to pay restitution of $2.5 million and pay a fine of more than $650,000.
Sentencing of Williams is scheduled for next January. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Terrence Williams #1 of the New Jersey Nets drives against Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets during the game on October 16, 2010 at the Guangzhou International Sports Arena in Guangzhou, China.
(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Other actors involved in the program include Sebastian Telfair and Glen « Big Baby » Davis.
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