Two former NBA players have been found guilty and are facing jail time for their involvement in a scheme that defrauded an insurance plan for NBA players and their families of over $5 million. Glen “Big Baby” Davis has been convicted of multiple fraud charges, including health care and wire fraud, as well as conspiracy to make false statements. Will Bynum is also a named Defendant in the case.
The scam involved 18 players, led by NBA veteran Terrence Williams, to defraud the NBA’s Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Dooling and Anderson were sentenced to 30 and 24 months in prison, respectively, for their part. The pair recruited former NBA players to submit false invoices through medical professionals.
In August 2022, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced that he had uncovered a scheme that included 18 former NBA players, a dentist, a doctor, and a chiropractor. It was the group’s goal to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of millions of dollars in money that belonged to the Plan. This case has resulted in the conviction of over 20 individuals, many of whom were once NBA players.
Glen Davis, known as “Big Baby,” was a 2008 Boston Celtics championship team member and played for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers. His conviction in this fraud scheme serves as a powerful reminder that no individual, regardless of their fame or success, is exempt from criminal charges when engaging in fraudulent activities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the importance of the conviction, stating, “Today’s conviction exemplifies that despite notoriety or success in sports or any other field, no one is exempt from criminal charges if they engage in fraud.”
This case underscores the need for continued vigilance in combatting fraud within the healthcare system and serves as a warning to others who may consider engaging in similar activities. A major purpose of the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan is to provide essential support to current and former players, and efforts to defraud such programs ultimately harm those who rely on them for their well-being.