Former Portland Trail Blazers forward Kermit Washington, 66, was sentenced to six years in federal prison and fined $967,158 for his role in an extensive charity fraud scheme, according to a release from the Justice Department.
Washington was indicted in May after being accused of using proceeds from Project Contact, a charity that claimed to have “touched the lives of over one million Africans in need” by funding of medical facilities and other support infrastructure.
The Justice Department released the following in their statement:
“This former NBA player abused his fame and status to promote a charity scam by which he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that he diverted to personal spending on lavish vacations, shopping sprees, and even plastic surgery for his girlfriend,” said Garrison.