Terrence Williams, the 11th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for "masterminding" a plan to defraud the NBA's Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Williams, who played for the Nets, Rockets, Kings, and Celtics, used fraudulent medical invoices to claim money from the program designed to provide health benefits to current and former NBA players. Williams is one of 18 former players charged in the case. 13 have pled guilty, with Williams the first to be given a penal sentence.
“You were yet another player who frittered away substantial earnings from the period of time when you were playing basketball professionally,” Judge Valerie E. Caproni told Williams during sentencing. “You should have had enough money to be set for life, but you don’t.” While many of the former players in the case were journeymen, their career earnings still totaled $343 million. “I one million percent take full accountability for my role in this case,” Williams said, choking up as he blamed the scheme on "stupidity and greed." However, Judge Caproni was unsympathetic, stating that Williams used his big personality to "lure" friends and family into the scheme.
Read More: DA declines to pursue weapons charges against Devin Haney
Williams Gets 10 Years
However, a 10-year prison sentence is not the only punishment that Williams will face. Williams must forfeit $650,000 in personal wealth as well as pay $2.5 million in restitution. Furthermore, Caprino ordered Williams to participate in a money management course. Williams has been incarcerated since May 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Williams had engaged in witness tampering by sending threatening texts to potential witnesses.
During sentencing, Williams said he was "humbled and humiliated" by the proceedings. However, he also blamed his criminal activity on an opioid addiction he reportedly developed from painkiller use to manage pain from lingering injuries. It's unclear where or when Williams, who resides in Seattle, will serve his time. Williams has six children, two of whom are above the age of 18. He said that he regretted that his prison sentence will separate him from his family. However, Judge Capriano said his behavior was "extortionate and aggressive" while his motivation "was greed."
[via]
