An ex-NBA player was sentenced for his role in a $5 million scheme, which involved clinicians and more than a dozen former players, to defraud the association's dental and medical benefits plan, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
William Bynum, who was found guilty in November 2023 of conspiring to make false statements related to healthcare matters following a three-week trial, was sentenced on April 16 to 18 months in prison. Also, Bynum, formerly of the Washington Wizards, was ordered to forfeit $182,224 and pay restitution of $182,224, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Between 2018 and at least 2019, Bynum, 41, of Bensenville, IL, reportedly worked with several former NBA players, including former New Jersey Nets player and purported ringleader of the scam Terrence Williams and former NBA player and Utah Jazz Assistant Coach Keyon Dooling, to defraud the NBA Players' Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. The healthcare plan provides coverage to eligible active and former basketball players, and Bynum was eligible for reimbursement for some dental and medical services.
In late 2018, Williams purportedly sent Bynum fake invoices that related to $200,000 in medical services Bynum received at a Los Angeles-area chiropractor. Bynum had not received these services and the invoices were false. The plan reimbursed Bynum for most of his false claims, according to the release.
During a November 2023 trial involving Bynum and co-defendant Ronald Glen Davis, formerly of the Los Angeles Clippers, Bynum took the stand and reportedly committed perjury and obstructed justice. Davis was found guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and conspiring to make false statements relating to healthcare matters. Davis is scheduled to be sentenced in May, according to the release.
Williams and Dooling previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years and 30 months in prison, respectively.
