Ten former NFL players, including Carlos Rogers, a defensive back for the 49ers and Raiders, have been charged by a federal grand jury with defrauding the NFL’s retiree health care benefits plan, CNN reported Thursday morning.
Brian Benczkowski, assistant attorney general at the Dept. of Justice, in a statement, characterized the alleged crimes “a brazen, multi-million dollar fraud on a health care plan meant to help their former teammates and other retired players pay legitimate, out-of-pocket medical expenses.”
Indictments unsealed Thursday showed that the benefits plan was bilked for more than $3 million.
Former Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis, who played for Washington and the Denver Broncos, was perhaps the most prominent player charged.