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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 31: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Terrence Williams #55 of the Boston Celtics in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 2013 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 108-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
According to prosecutors, the medical professionals created fraudulent invoices processed by people Williams recruited to defraud the plan, which provides health benefits to former and current NBA players and their families.
During sentencing, Judge Valerie Caproni called Williams out for squandering his NBA earnings, which led to him orchestrating the fraud.
“You were yet another player who frittered away substantial earnings from the period of time when you were playing basketball professionally,” Caproni told Williams. “You should have had enough money to be set for life, but you don’t.”
According to the AP, all 18 were journeymen players in the league, playing for multiple teams, never reaching the stardom or multimillion-dollar contracts or fame top players see. However, the players made a combined $343 million during their NBA careers.
During sentencing, Williams blamed the crime on “stupidity and fraud” and added he regrets his sentence because it will keep him from his family and six children. Williams blamed his situation on an opioid addiction he developed after taking painkillers to deal with injuries he sustained during his career.
The judge was unfazed by the statements saying his behavior was “extortionate, aggressive” and his motivation “was greed.”
Source: Black Enterprise
