Former NBA player Glen Davis sentenced to 40 months for defrauding
Former NBA player Glen "Big Baby" Davis has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for his involvement in a scheme that defrauded an insurance plan for NBA players and their families of over $5 million. The sentencing occurred on Thursday.
The case saw convictions for more than 20 individuals, including 18 former players who submitted false dental and medical claims to the NBA Players' Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.
Davis, 38, who has maintained his innocence since indictments were handed down in October 2021, was found guilty of multiple fraud charges and conspiring to make false statements. He has been ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution and must attend a financial management class and undergo mandatory drug treatment as part of his supervised release.
The supposed ringleader of the scheme, identified as Williams, was sentenced to 10 years in prison last August.
Former NBA guard Will Bynum, convicted alongside Davis in November, received a sentence of 18 months, in part for lying to a jury while under oath.
During the court proceedings, assistant U.S. attorney Ryan Finkel characterized Davis as allegedly executing a "sophisticated and intelligent effort" to conceal his actions.
In a plea for leniency, letters of testimony were submitted on Davis' behalf from family members, former coaches, and officials of the NBA players' union, including NBPA general counsel Ron Klempner and executive director Andre Iguodala.
However, despite these pleas, only a few individuals associated with the prosecution attended the sentencing, prompting Davis' defense attorney to express disappointment.
Davis, visibly emotional throughout the hearing, expressed regret for his actions and pleaded for the judge's assistance in reclaiming his identity following the loss of his basketball career.
The press office of the Southern District of New York and Davis' defense attorney declined to comment on the sentencing.
