Former Saints’ Player Joe Horn Pleads Guilty To Defrauding NFL Medical Program

Former New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn has pleaded guilty to medical fraud. On Thursday, the ex-NFL player pled guilty to scamming a benefits program designed to help retired NFL players pay for medical expenses.

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Horn was one of 12 former players named in federal indictments earlier this month for an alleged scheme that cost the program, the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan, more than $3.4 million in reimbursements for medical equipment and procedures, none of which were actually purchased.

He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, a charge carrying a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His cooperation could lead to a lesser sentence with a plea agreement.

Other players facing charges include John Eubanks, Robert McCune, Carlos Rogers, Tamarick Vanover, Ceandris Brown, Clinton Portis, Fredrick Bennett, James Butler, Etric Pruitt and Correll Buckhalter.

The attorney for Portis, Mark Dycio, said, “Many of the players named in the indictment are shocked to the allegations given that most if not all deny any participation in any scheme to defraud the insurance company.”

McCune and Buckhalter are the alleged ringleaders of the group, according to prosecutors. They would recruit former players and submit fake claims to the health care plan, demanding thousands of dollars in kickbacks for each fake claim.

A typical claim would range from $40,000 to $50,000 and would include things like hyperbaric oxygen chambers, cryotherapy machines, ultrasound machines and electromagnetic therapy devices.

The  NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan provides tax-free reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses of players and their families who are not covered by insurance.

Despite forged prescriptions and authorization letters, no evidence was uncovered that any doctors were complicit in the scheme.