WASHINGTON — Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is one of ten former National Football League players charged by the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) for defrauding the very league they played in for years.
These charges stem from what the DOJ says was a defrauding of the league's Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan, which is the financial backing for health care claims filed by former players.
The 38-year-old has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of health care fraud.
According to the Department of Justice, those indicted along with Portis include Ceandris Brown, James Butler, Fredrick Bennett, Correll Buckhalter, Etric Pruitt, John Eubanks, Tamarick Vanover, Carlos Rogers, Robert McCune.
John Eubanks,Robert McCune and Carlos Rogers played for the Redskins as well during the 2000s. None of these three players played in Washington as long as Portis did.
The DOJ believes that these players defrauded the league's plan of nearly $3.9 million through false claims. $3.4 million of these claims were reportedly paid to these players from June 2017 through December 2018.
“Today’s indictments underscore that whoever you are if you loot health care programs to line your own pockets, you will be held accountable by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.
Portis played for the Redskins from 2004-2010 and currently lives in McLean, Virginia. He has served in a variety of roles for Washington's broadcast and media team, which includes speaking engagements on the radio.
Portis was drafted into the NFL in 2002 out of the University of Miami and played for the Denver Broncos to start his career.
Over his nine-year NFL career, Portis accounted for 9,923 yards and found the endzone 75 times for touchdowns.
During his seven seasons with the Redskins, Portis rushed for over 1,000 yards for four of them, according to NFL statistics. His best season with Washington was arguably the 2005 season when he averaged 94 yards per game and 4.3 yards per play.
“This investigation serves as an illustration of the rampant and deliberate scams against health care plans occurring daily throughout the country,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the Miami Field Office.
Multiple field offices for the DOJ and FBI helped in investigating and charging these players. The charges against these former players are part of two separate indictments filed in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Two other former players Joseph Horn and Donald “Reche” Caldwell have had notices filed against them by the government as part of the investigation involving Portis and the other nine players, said DOJ officials.
The NFL's Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan was agreed upon during the 2006 collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association.
This is a developing story with more information to come.