Paul Sancya/Associated Press
A group of 10 former N.F.L. players, including former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, were accused of defrauding one of the league’s health care benefit programs out of $3.4 million for phony purchases of medical equipment, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Brian A. Benczkowski, assistant attorney general for the criminal division of the United States Department of Justice, said at a news conference that the players were involved in a scheme to take advantage of a program for retired players that was established by the league and N.F.L. players’ union in 2006.
Claims totaling $3.