Former NBA players Glen Davis and Will Bynum found themselves on the wrong side of the law as a Manhattan jury convicted them on Wednesday for their involvement in a scheme to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare plan, ultimately netting over $5 million in illicit profits.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams wasted no time in delivering a statement on the conviction, emphasizing that despite the notoriety or success these players achieved in the NBA, engaging in fraud comes with legal consequences.
“Moments ago, a Manhattan jury convicted former NBA players Ronald Glen Davis and William Bynum of a criminal scheme to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. While many of the more than 20 defendants convicted in this case were well-known NBA stars, their conduct was otherwise a typical fraudulent scheme designed to defraud the NBA’s health care plan and net the defendants over $5 million in illicit profits. 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 conviction follows a string of legal actions against former NBA players involved in the fraudulent scheme. In February, Alan Anderson and Keyon Dooling received prison sentences of 24 and 30 months, respectively. They were among the 18 former players charged in October 2021 for submitting reimbursement claims for medical services that never occurred.
Terrence Williams, another former NBA player accused of orchestrating the scheme and recruiting others, faced the harshest penalty in August. Williams was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with an order to pay $2.5 million in restitution and forfeit more than $650,000.
Glen Davis, known for his eight-season stint in the NBA from 2007-08 through 2014-15 with the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Clippers, was a part of the Celtics team that clinched a championship in his rookie campaign.
Will Bynum, who entered the NBA in the 2005-06 season and played for the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards, concluded his playing career in the 2014-15 season.
The convictions underscore the legal consequences facing those who seek to defraud the system, regardless of their athletic accomplishments. As the legal saga unfolds, the NBA community reflects on the sobering reality that even former stars are not immune to the repercussions of fraudulent activities.
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