USA TODAY International Edition
EX- PLAYERS INDICTED
Ten former NFL players, including Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis, were charged Thursday with defrauding the league’s health care program for seeking reimbursements totaling nearly
$ 4 million in medical equipment that was never purchased. Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski described a “brazen” scheme in which players sought tax- free reimbursements on claims for such things as hyperbaric oxygen chambers, cryotherapy machines, ultrasound devices and electromagnetic therapy devices designed for use on horses. “Ten former NFL players allegedly committed a brazen, multimillion- dollar fraud on a health care plan meant to help their former teammates and other retired players pay legitimate, out- of- pocket medical expenses,” Benczkowski said. “Today’s indictments underscore that whoever you are, if you loot health care programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable.” Federal prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and that two other former players, including receiver Joe Horn, formerly of the Saints, have been notified that charges would would be filed against them. Benczkowski said that $ 3.4 million of the claims sought were paid from mid- 2017 to mid- 2018. Including Portis, three other former members of the Redskins were charged: Carlos Rogers, Robert McCune and John Eubanks. The others named were Tamarick Vanover, formerly of the Chiefs; Ceandris Brown and Fredrick Bennett of the Texans; James Butler of the Giants; Correll Buckhalter of the Eagles; and Etric Pruitt of the Seahawks. Prosecutors said they also have filed notice of intent to charge Donald “Reche” Caldwell, formerly of the Chargers and Redskins.