ASHBURN, Va. -- Former Washington and Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis has been sentenced to six months in federal prison and six months of home confinement for his part in defrauding a health care benefit program for retired NFL veterans.
Portis pleaded guilty to fraud in September following charges that he obtained nearly $100,000 after filing false claims for medical equipment that was not provided, according to court documents.
In a pre-sentence filing Thursday, the Department of Justice said it sought a sentence at the higher end of the recommended 10-to-16 month guideline, given Portis' offense. The DOJ said it sought a longer sentence because Portis continued to deny his guilt until he faced a retrial following a hung jury. The filing also noted Portis did not pay back money to the plan until shortly before sentencing.
Portis was part of a ring of former players who filed false reimbursement claims totaling about $2.9 million. In 2006, the NFL established the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan, designed to help retired players pay for medical expenses. The account provides up to $350,000 in benefits per player.
Fifteen former players have pleaded guilty to charges.
Tamarick Vanover, who played for the Chiefs and Chargers, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 22.
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