Former NFL Star Clinton Portis Sentenced 6 Months In Federal Prison For Health Care Scheme

Clinton Portis

Former NFL Star Clinton Portis Sentenced 6 Months In Federal Prison For Health Care Scheme

Clinton Portis’ past financial decisions have caught up with him, and now he has to face the government.

Retired NFL running back Clinton Portis will spend the next year suffering the consequences of his involvement in a health care benefits scheme.

The former Rookie of the Year (2002) was sentenced to six months in federal prison and six months of home confinement.

Court documents state that Clinton amassed about $100,000 by defrauding the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan. The program helps retired NFL players cover their medical expenses and provides up to $350,000 per player. Clinton allegedly filed false claims for medical expenses, which earned him hundreds of thousands of dollars. He pleaded guilty to fraud in September 2021.

Clinton wasn’t the only retired football player finagling money from the program. There were fifteen other players who participated in the ring and also pleaded guilty to similar charges.

Those facing jail time include Robert McCune, Joe Horn, Carlos Rogers, Correll Buckhalter, James Butler, Ceandris Brown, John Eubanks, Antwan Odom, Etric Pruitt, Darrell Reid, Anthony Montgomery, Frederick Bennett, and Reche Caldwell, who was killed in 2020.

The Department of Justice reportedly stated that they were prepared to hand out the heaviest sentences that aligned with the 10-to-16 month guideline. They especially made sure that Clinton received a higher sentence, due to his offense and actions associated with the charges.

Clinton hasn’t released any formal statements regarding his sentence or alleged crimes; however, he seemingly acknowledges the allegations on Instagram. He recently shared a story that reads:

“You can’t pull my card cause I’m really ME. Whatever you got to say about me ima own up to or speak on it. You can’t embarrass me or make me feel uncomfortable. I’m SOLID. #APPRECIATETHESUPPORT.”

He also dedicated a post to a law firm:

“o my team from #BAKERBOTTS (Andrew, Kyle & Julie)& Adam aka A Aron I thank you! I would fight with you all any day! You all believed in me from the start & worked tirelessly to prove my innocence!”

He continued:

“We came up short & things didn’t go as planned but the bond created will last forever! Thank you all! To my supporters, my family, my friends and everyone who said a prayer it’s bigger than me.”

He concluded:

“‘I’ll grow through,what I go through.'”

Clinton Portis was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NFL, starting his career with the Denver Broncos. In 2004, he was traded to the Washington Redskins, where he finished his career in 2010. Throughout his career, he broke quite a few records, earning the title of second-leading rusher in the league. When he was Offensive Rookie of the Year (2002), he became a recognizable figure and even assisted the cycle 1 contestants of America’s Next Top Model in a photoshoot.

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[VIA]