Home / Crime and Justice / Ex-NFL Player Jailed for $197M Medicare Fraud
Ex-NFL Player Jailed for $197M Medicare Fraud
11 May
Summary
- Former Ole Miss star Joel French received over 16 years for fraud.
- His scheme defrauded Medicare and veterans of $197 million.
- French targeted seniors and disabled veterans with fake orders.
Former University of Mississippi Rebels tight end Joel French has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison for his role in a $197 million healthcare fraud scheme. French, 48, was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and kickbacks. The scheme targeted seniors and disabled veterans.
French worked with overseas telemarketers to sell patient information and fake orders for orthotic braces. These claims were submitted to Medicare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) through his eight durable medical equipment companies. He was ordered to pay $111 million in restitution and forfeit $17 million.
