Former Grizzlies guard Tony Allen sentenced for healthcare fraud / News - Basketnews.com

Allen received extra community service during three years of supervision. Multiple other former NBA players have already been sentenced, several others are still waiting for the verdict.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

Former Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen heard his sentence on Tuesday for committing healthcare fraud after his career was over.

Tony Allen

Position:SGAge:41Height:193 cmWeight:97 kgBirth place:Chicago, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Allen submitted fake invoices to get reimbursed for services he never received. As such, he pocketed $265,000 for chiropractic services and $155,000 for dental care, which never happened.

In a huge 24-defendant lawsuit, Allen was sentenced to extra community service during a three-year period of supervision, avoiding a prison sentence. Notably, Allen had paid most of the amount back before being charged.

"You seem not quite to have found your footing after your basketball career [had] ended," U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni said, via Pete Brush from Law360. "To your credit, you paid the fund, admittedly when the plan caught you, but before you knew there was a criminal investigation."

"I fully acknowledge my individual responsibility, and I understand the gravity of my actions," Allen said. "As a member of the NBA community, I failed to uphold our core values. I've taken responsibility for my actions. I even paid back the majority of the money before I even knew about the investigations put against me. I do not seek sympathy but rather an opportunity for redemption."

Best known for his years in the Grit and Grind Grizzlies, Allen played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Former NBA forward Terrence Williams was sentenced to 10 years in prison as a mastermind of the fraud on top of being ordered to forfeit more than $650,000 and pay $2.5 million in restitution.

As part of the lengthy process, Keyon Dooling and Alan Anderson were sentenced to 30 and 24 months in prison earlier this year.

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv and Detroit Pistons guard Will Bynum will face the court alongside Glen 'Big Baby' Davis in November.

Other players charged for the crime included Darius Miles, Milt Palacio, Ruben Patterson, and Jamario Moon, among others.

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