Former NBA player Terrence Williams has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud and identity theft in connection with a multimillion-dollar scam against the basketball league’s health plan, according to authorities.
Williams, who played in the NBA for four seasons, was the ringleader of 18 players who were involved in a scheme to defraud the NBA’s health care plan out of more than $5 million.
The 35-year-old entered his plea in federal court in Manhattan on Friday and is scheduled to be sentenced in January, and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for the identity theft.
According to the indictment, the players submitted fake invoices to the NBA’s health benefit plan for reimbursements.
“Williams led a scheme involving more than 18 former NBA players, a dentist, a doctor, and a chiropractor, to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan of millions of dollars,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said in a statement. “Williams also impersonated others to help him take what was not his — money that belonged to the Plan.”
The 35-year-old former NBA player was in the league from 2009-13 and continued to play professionally for several years.
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Williams has reportedly agreed to pay restitution of $2.5 million, and pay a fine of over $650,000.
Other players involved in the scheme include Sebastian Telfair and Glen “Big Baby” Davis.
