Ex-Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, along with at least 9 other former NFL players, have been charged with defrauding the league’s health program of millions of dollars. The Department of Justice announced Thursday that the players are among a group of 12 facing charges in the Eastern District of Kentucky. They are accused of filing more than $3.9 million in fraudulent claims, of which more than $3.4 million were paid from June 2017 to December 2018. The Department of Justice said it will seek charges against two others, including former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn.
Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said, “Ten former NFL players allegedly committed a brazen, multimillion-dollar fraud on a health care plan meant to help their former teammates and other retired players pay legitimate, out-of-pocket medical expenses. Today’s indictments underscore that, whoever you are, if you loot health care programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”
The other players charged are Robert McCune, John Eubanks, Tamarick Vanover, Carlos Rogers, Ceandris Brown, James Butler, Fred Bennett, Correll Buckhalter and Etric Pruitt.nThe government also intends to charge Donald “Reche” Caldwell.
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