NEW YORK (AP) — Federal authorities say 18 former NBA players, including a former University of Cincinnati All-American, have been charged with defrauding the league's health and welfare benefit plan out of about $4 million.
A news conference was held Thursday to announce the charges brought in an indictment in Manhattan federal court.
The indictment said the ex-players and a 19th individual engaged in a widespread scheme to defraud the plan by submitting false and fraudulent claims to reimburse medical and dental expenses that were never incurred.
According to the Associated Press, the scheme occurred from at least 2017 to 2020.
The AP reported that the false claims totaled about $3.9 million, with the 19 defendants allegedly received about $2.5 million in fraudulent proceeds.
One of the former NBA players was allegedly Ruben Patterson, who was a Third Team All-American during his time with UC from 1996-1998.
The list of former players also includes Jamario Moon, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and Sebastian Telfair.
NBC News reported the rest of the defendants include Terrence Williams, Alan Anderson, Anthony Allen, Desiree Allen, Shannon Brown, William Bynum, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, Melvin Ely, Darius Miles, Milton Palacio, Eddie Robinson, Gregory Smith, Charles Watson Jr., Antoine Wright, and Anthony Wroten.
No current major league stars were charged, the AP reported.
