Former NBA Players Convicted in Health Care Fraud Scheme

Two former National Basketball Association (NBA) players were convicted by a federal jury in Manhattan on Wednesday for their role in defrauding the league’s health care program of millions of dollars.

Glen Davis, 37, a two-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, was convicted of four counts of wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and conspiracy to commit misrepresentation. Will Bynum, 40, a former player for three NBA teams, was convicted of conspiracy to commit misrepresentation but was acquitted of conspiracy to commit fraud. He was convicted of conspiracy to make false statements, but was acquitted of conspiracy to defraud. He was acquitted of conspiracy to commit fraud.

The trial, which began on November 1, focused on allegations that Davis and Bynum, along with other former NBA players and health care providers, submitted false claims to the NBA Player Health and Welfare Program for medical procedures that were never performed or were unnecessary.

Prosecutors allege that Davis and Bynum received kickbacks for their participation in the program, from which Davis allegedly fraudulently received $2 million. Bynum, for his part, is accused of receiving about $182,000 in fraudulent claims for chiropractic services and paying $30,000 in kickbacks to the scheme’s ringleader, former NBA player Terrence Williams.

Williams, who played for the New Jersey Nets and three other teams, pleaded guilty last year to his role in the scheme and was sentenced in August to 10 years in prison.

Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, emphasized in a statement that the conviction sends a strong message that no one is above the law, regardless of wealth or status.

Despite notoriety or success in sports or any other field, no one is immune from criminal charges if fraud is involved,” Williams said.

Davis’ attorney, Sabrina Shroff, declined to comment on the verdict. Bynum’s attorney, Victor Henderson, expressed satisfaction with the acquittal on one of the counts, but said he would explore the possibility of appealing the other.

The convictions of Davis and Bynum mark significant progress in the ongoing NBA health care fraud investigation. At least two dozen people, including 19 former NBA players, a dentist, a doctor and a chiropractor, were involved in the scheme, with fraud claims totaling an estimated millions of dollars.

The investigation, initiated by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services, continues to expand and additional charges may be filed in the future.