Clinton Portis Goes Down in Healthcare Fraud Scheme

Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis has pleaded guilty to a nationwide healthcare fraud scheme.

Portis, 40, becomes the most high-profile of 15 former NFL players who have pleaded guilty to the scheme, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.

The scheme dates back to the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan in 2006. The plan gave tax-free reimbursements to health expenses not covered by insurance up to $350,000 per player.

The crux of the crime stems from Portis and the other players submitting false claims for the plan. Portis raked in $99,264 over a two-month period.

Portis will be sentenced in Jan. 2022 and faces up to 10 years in prison. Portis ran for over 1,000 yards six times during his nine-year career, making two Pro Bowls.

Portis' co-defendant is former NFL receiver Tamarick Vanover, who recruited three other former players to make fraudulent claims. Vanover, 47, also pled guilty and agreed to pay in full restitution.

Fellow perpetrator, former NFL player Robert McCune, pled guilty back in August, and court documents revealed that he received $2.9 million in false claims.

McCune, 40, will be sentenced on Nov. 19 and faces up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire and healthcare fraud.