Joe Horn Pleads Guilty, Faces 10 Years in Prison for Defrauding NFL Health Care Program
Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn is facing 10 years in prison for defrauding the NFL's health care program.
Horn pled guilty on Thursday to one charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud when he sought reimbursements for items including medical equipment and prescriptions that he never bought.
The charge that Horn pleaded guilty to carries a prison sentence of up 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. However, the guilty plea means that Horn is cooperating with the federal authorities in hopes of a more lenient sentence.
All this comes after officials with the United States Department of Justice uncovered an alleged scheme involving a group of former NFL players attempting to scam the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Plan out of money.
Horn, Clinton Portis, Robert McCune, John Eubanks, Tamarick Vanover, Carlos Rogers, Correll Buckhalter, Etric Pruitt, Ceandris Brown and Reche Caldwell were listed among the defendants in the case.
It's alleged that Horn sought reimbursement for several medical items including a $52,000 cryosauna that prosecutors said he didn't need nor ever received.
Joe Horn is a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and played a total of 12 years in the NFL. In addition to the Saints, he also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
He was named to the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons with the Saints from 2000-04.