Two former NBA players, Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Will Bynum, are facing jail time after being found guilty in a scheme that defrauded an insurance plan for NBA players and their families of more than $5 million. Davis was convicted of health care fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to make false statements, and conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud. Bynum was also implicated in the case.
The mastermind behind the operation was NBA veteran Terrence Williams, who led a group of 18 former NBA players in defrauding the NBA’s Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Among those involved, Keyon Dooling and Alan Anderson were sentenced to 30 months and 24 months in prison, respectively, for recruiting other former NBA players and submitting false invoices by medical officials to defraud the insurance plan.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, in a statement released in August 2022, explained, “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.” Williams further highlighted that Terrence Williams impersonated others to facilitate the fraudulent activities and wrongfully obtain money that rightfully belonged to the Plan.
This high-profile case has resulted in the conviction of more than 20 individuals, many of whom were once prominent NBA players. The severity of the convictions emphasizes that individuals, regardless of their success or fame in sports or any other field, are not exempt from criminal charges if they engage in fraudulent activities.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis, a member of the 2008 Boston Celtics championship team, also played for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers. The convictions serve as a stark reminder that legal consequences apply to everyone, even those who have achieved notoriety or success in their respective fields.
