Former NBA player Terrence Williams has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and identity theft in connection with a multi-million dollar scam targeting basketball league health plans, authorities said.
Williams, 35, filed a plea in federal court in Manhattan on Friday. He is due to be sentenced in January and faces up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy and a mandatory minimum of two years for identity theft.
An email seeking comment has been sent to his lawyer.
Williams is accused of being the leader of the scheme, which included fraudulent claims and paperwork submitted to the Union Medical and Dental Reimbursement Program.
He and 17 other former players were indicted in October 2021, and authorities said the scheme filed at least $5 million in false claims between 2017 and 2021.
Terrence Williams was in charge of the scheme and recruited others to submit false documents, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York said.
Authorities said Williams’ efforts earned at least $300,000 in kickbacks from others.
While others involved were hesitant, authorities said Williams pretended to be someone else and threatened them to gain compliance.
The former player had been on pre-trial release but was remanded in custody earlier this year after authorities told a judge he threatened a witness.
As part of the plea deal, Williams will pay $2.5 million in restitution to the program and forfeit more than $650,000 to the federal government.
