The NBA’s health and welfare benefit plan fraud scheme, carried out by a handful of ex-players, has caused a stir in the nation’s sports community in 2021.
In total, 18 former athletes were initially charged with the fraudulent scheme in October 2021. The crime resulted in approximately $4 million in fake reimbursement claims for medical and dental services. The defendant faced the grand jury for their alleged actions from 2017–2020.
However, on Friday, the US Department of Justice issued a press release announcing the sentencing of a couple of those defendants to prison for the fraud scheme.
Who are the ex-NBA players who have been sentenced to prison?
Judge Valerie E. Caproni of the Southern District of New York ruled on the sentencing of Alan Anderson and Keyon Dooling, giving them 24 and 30 months of prison service, respectively, for their roles in the fraudulent activity.
According to us district attorney Damian Williams, who published the sentencing details and added, “This office will continue to aggressively prosecute those engaged in health care fraud schemes, no matter what their profession.”
Anderson played for several NBA franchises in his career, along with others in foreign leagues. His career was unremarkable aside from being named Croatian Cup MVP for Cibona Zagreb in 2009 and Spanish King’s Cup MVP for FC Barcelona in 2011.
On the other hand, Dooling wasn’t in the initial 18-man charge; he was arrested in April last year while he was serving as Player Development Coach for the Utah Jazz. The 42-year-old started his coaching career in 2020 after retiring in 2013 for the second and final time.
The press release indicated another former professional, Terrence Williams, orchestrated the whole fraud scheme.
The co-defendants were also required to forfeit their financial assets: Alan was ordered to forfeit $121,000 and pay restitution of $121,000, while Keyon had to forfeit $449,250.50 and pay restitution of $547,495.
