Eighteen former NBA players were arrested on Thursday
for allegedly defrauding the National Basketball Association’s Health and Welfare
benefit plan, according to federal officials in the United States. The accused allegedly
scammed the health care plan of $4 million. Those accused face the charge of
conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud.

Also Read | NBA: Ben Simmons to miss $500k in 48 minutes as Philadelphia 76ers start preseason

The accused are: Terence Williams, Alan Anderson,
Anthony Allen, Desiree Allen, Shannon Brown, William Bynum, Ronald Glen “Big
Baby” Davis, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, Melvin Ely, Jamario Moon, Milton
Palacio, Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Gregory Smith,
Sebastian Telfair, Charles Watson Jr., Antoine Wright and Anthony Wroten.

Also Read | NBA 2021-22: Things to watch as training camps begin

Federal officials say 16 out of the 18 defendants have
been taken into custody. According to the indictment, the former national-level
basketball players engaged in a widespread scam to defraud the health care plan
by submitting fraudulent claims and obtaining reimbursements for medical and
dental expenses that were never actually incurred.

Also Read | NBA: Why LaMarcus Aldridge retired and then came back

The 18 former basketball players are among 19 charged
in the indictment. The indictment says that the scheme was carried out from 2017
to 2020 at least, during which time the plan received fraudulent claims
totalling $3.9 million. The defendants are said to have received $2.5 million
in fraudulent proceeds.

Also Read | Philadelphia 76ers to block 25% of Ben Simmons salary due on Friday: Reports

Ronald Glen Davis, one of those charged, was part of
the Boston Celtics world title team in 2008. Anthony Allen, another accused, was
also part of the same team. Shannon Brown, who was part of two
championship-winning teams for the Los Angeles Lakers, was also charged, as was
Melvin Ely who won a title with San Antonio in 2017.  

Among others, Anthony Wroten, Darius Miles and Ruben
Patterson are the only players who averaged in the double digits during their
NBA careers. Wroten averaged 11.1 points in 145 career games, Patterson 10.7
points with six different teams. Darius Miles, who held the distinction of
being the number three pick in the NBA draft of 2000 averaged 10.1 points per
game and played with four different franchises.

(With inputs from Associated Press)