Ten former NFL players have been accused of defrauding the league's retiree healthcare program out of $3.4 million, federal prosecutors said Dec. 12.
Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski alleges that the former players took advantage of a healthcare program that provides reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical care expenses for eligible former players as well as their spouses and dependents.
The Justice Department claims the former players were involved in a scheme in which they submitted claims for medical equipment that was never purchased.
They are accused of submitting $3.9 million in claims and were reimbursed $3.4 million between 2017 and 2018, the U.S. Justice Department said.
"Today’s indictments underscore that whoever you are, if you loot healthcare programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable by the Department of Justice," Mr. Benczkowski said.
The former players charged are:
- Robert McCune, Washington Redskins
- John Eubanks, Washington Redskins
- Carlos Rogers, Washington Redskins
- Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
- Tamarick Vanover, Kansas City Chiefs
- Ceandris Brown, Houston Texans
- Fredrick Bennett, Houston Texans
- James Butler, New York Giants
- Correll Buckhalter, Philadelphia Eagles
- Etric Pruitt, Seattle Seahawks
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