Clinton Portis was one of three ex-NFL players who pleaded guilty to their roles in a scheme to defraud an old NFL player's health care program, according the U.S. Justice Department Tuesday.
Portis, 40, is a former running back who was draft by the Broncos 2002 and spent most of his career in Washington. He faces a maximum penalty for 10 years imprisonment. His sentence is set for Jan. 6.
The scheme was alleged to have targeted the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Rembursement Account Plan. This plan was established in 2006 to assist retired players with medical expenses.
Court documents show that Portis submitted false and fraudulent claims for the plan over a period of two months. He received $99,264 in benefits to cover medical equipment that was not provided.
Portis, who was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in an NFL career that spans from 2002 to 2010, and Tamarick Vanover, former wide receiver, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, just two days after their trial ended in a deadlock. Portis and Vanover both agreed to pay the full restitution for the Upshaw Plan.
Clinton Portis was selected for two Pro Bowls during a career that spans from 2002 to 2010. He faces a maximum 10 year sentence after pleading guilty in conspiracy to commit fraud in health care. Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire
Vanover, 47, played for the Chiefs & Chargers between 1995 and 2002. He received $159,510 in medical equipment benefits that were not provided. He also faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. His sentence is set for Jan. 22.
On Tuesday, Portis and Vanover were scheduled for a retrial.
Robert McCune, an ex-NFL linebacker who played from 2005 to 2008 for Washington and Baltimore, pleaded guilty in the trial to conspiracy to commit fraud and health care theft. He was also charged with 13 counts of wire fraud. Three counts of aggravated ID theft were added on the second day.
The Justice Department claims that McCune, 40, orchestrated the scheme. He submitted $2.9million in fraudulent claims to the Upshaw Plan, with $2.5 million being paid. McCune is due to be sentenced Nov. 19. He faces a maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud of 20 years.
Portis was among 10 ex-NFL players indicted on December 2019, for allegedly defrauding more than $3.4million of the health insurance program by filing false claims regarding hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and other costly medical equipment.
In connection with the scheme, 15 people pleaded guilty.
This report was contributed by Reuters
