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Clinton Portis Among 6 Former NFL Players Charged With Health Care Fraud | Launderer report

Paul Sancya / Associated Press

Former Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis is among six NFL alumni facing additional charges related to the alleged fraudulent use of the Gene Upshaw NFL player health reimbursement plan for players retired.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reported on Saturday that a replacement indictment was filed on Friday with charges of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud against Portis, Robert McCune, Anthony Montgomery, Antwan Odom, Darrell Reid and Tamarick Vanover.

The original charges in the case were filed last year. Portis “self-surrendered” to authorities in North Carolina in December before making his first court appearance, according to Fox 5 DC.

Federal prosecutors alleged that more than $ 3 million in fraudulent claims were made in connection with the scheme, which included more than a dozen former NFL players, according to Smith.

The Pro Football Talk report noted that several players had previously pleaded guilty: Ceandris Brown, Correll Buckhalter, James Butler, Reche Caldwell, John Eubanks, Joe Horn and Etric Pruitt. Caldwell died in a shootout in June, while Brown has already been sentenced to one year in prison. The others are awaiting their sentence.

Deputy Attorney General Brian Benczkowski explained the alleged scheme in December, according to NBC News’ David K. Lee.

“A group of former players brazenly defrauded the plan by demanding reimbursement … for expensive medical equipment they never bought,” he said. “Things like hyperbaric oxygen chambers, ultrasound machines used by doctors’ offices to perform women’s health exams, and even electromagnetic therapy machines designed for use on horses.”

Portis’ attorney, Mark Dycio, told Li that his client was not aware of any fraudulent activity.

“Mr. Portis is believed to be participating in an NFL-sanctioned health care program,” Dycio said. “He’s completely taken aback by the indictment and can’t wait to clear his name.”

The health reimbursement account plan was created in 2006.

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