Clint Ingram, one of eight former NFL players accused of taking part in a scheme to steal money from the league’s health care reimbursement fund, pleaded guilty today of submitting false claims totaling more than $31,000.
The case was led by Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) investigators and prosecutors working with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
TDI prosecutor Rick Watson said investigators discovered the scheme led by a Houston athletic trainer.
“They’d submit false claims to the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Plan for treatments that were never actually performed,” said Watson. “When the plan would reimburse for those bills, the players and trainer would pocket the money.”
Watson is a TDI employee who works in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as a special prosecutor focusing on insurance fraud.
“When scammers commit white-collar crime like this, it hurts all of us because of higher insurance premiums and costly litigation,” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. “It’s insidious, and we’re thankful for our partners like the Texas Department of Insurance and their vigilance in bringing scammers like this to justice.”
Ingram was a former linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony, is paying restitution, and must serve five years’ probation.
You can report suspected insurance fraud by calling TDI at 800-252-3439.
Read more about the multi-year investigation and the individuals involved:
Houston athletic trainer and former NFL players indicted for fraud