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Two former Los Angeles Lakers arrested in alleged health care scam

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 20: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after missing a shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Portland Trail Blazersat the Staples Center on March 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 20: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after missing a shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Portland Trail Blazersat the Staples Center on March 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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On Thursday, October 7 it was reported that 18 former NBA players would be arrested for attempting to defraud the NBA’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Among the arrested are two former Los Angeles Lakers in Shannon Brown and Ruben Patterson.

Brown played 408 games in the NBA and played more games with the Los Angeles Lakers than any other franchise. Brown was a member of the team from 2008 through 2011, winning two championships with the team.

Patterson’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers was much shorter. Patterson began his career with the Lakers, who drafted him with the 31st overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. Patterson played 24 games with the Lakers in his rookie season before signing with the Seattle Supersonics the following offseason.

Laker fans may not remember Patterson for his short tenure with the Lakers and may instead remember him for naming himself the “Kobe stopper”.

Shannon Brown and Ruben Patterson were the only former Los Angeles Lakers included.

According to reports, the players in question would allegedly submit fraudulent claims to the league’s Health and Welfare Benefit plan with fraudulent invoices for kickback payments. According to officials, there was a total of $3.9 million worth of fake claims that were filed with the players in question receiving a total of $2.5 million.

There are some notable former players that are in question, including a former NBA Finals foe for the Los Angeles Lakers, Glen Davis.

It is unclear at this time what the punishment would be if the players in question were found guilty but there is some precedent from a similar situation. Fifteen former NFL players pleaded guilty for a similar fraud scheme against the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan.

Three former players, Clinton Portis, Tamarick Vanover and Robert McCune, recently pleaded guilty last month. According to reports, Portis and Vanover could face a maximum of 10 years in prison. McCune could face up to 20 years for every instance of fraud, although his situation is a bit more complex as there are other charges he is facing.

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That case will likely serve as a precedent for this NBA case but one thing is for certain, things are not looking good for these former NBA players.

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