Ex-Texan Corey Bradford pleads guilty in health insurance scam

HOUSTON — A former Houston Texans player pleaded guilty in connection to a massive health insurance fraud.

Corey Bradford is one of eight former NFL players from across the league who were charged in 2020. They are accused of falsely claiming rehab therapy by a Houston coach and pocketing reimbursement. The claims totaled more than $720,000.

A Texas Department of Insurance investigation found Bradford filed claims for more than $224,000 for medical treatment he never received.

Bradford was sentenced to 10 years suspended court, 60 hours of community service and ordered to pay back the money.

The wide receiver played nine seasons in the NFL, including four with the Houston Texas from 2002-2005.

Another former Texan, Shantee Orr, pleaded guilty last year.

Former University of Houston player Jonathan Hadnot, Jr. and coach Louis Ray, owner of Rehab Express in Houston, were also charged in the scandal.

Prosecutors said Ray created false invoices claiming he performed maintenance on players from March 7, 2016 to November 2018. The players would then sign and submit forms to be reimbursed by the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Plan, a medical reimbursement account. The players also paid Ray to sign and verify fake invoices, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office said.

Medical records show that 92 claims were filed claiming compensation of $723,826 with Ray allegedly receiving a payment of $112,972.

“Health insurance fraud is dangerous because such fraud leads to higher premiums for other people,” said prosecutor Rick Watson. “Not only is it increasing rates, it’s also costing taxpayers a lot of money to investigate this.”

Former NFL player charged

• Corey Bradford: was charged with the second degree felony Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud, for allegedly taking checks for more than $150,000 and less than $300,000. Bradford 44, was a wide receiver with the Houston Texans from 2002-2005.
• Shantee Orr: was charged with felony third-degree Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for allegedly taking checks for more than $30,000 and less than $150,000. Orr was the quarterback for the Houston Texans from 2003-2007.
• Jonathan Rex Hadnot Jr: was charged with felony third-degree Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for allegedly taking checks for more than $30,000 and less than $150,000. The 38-year-old Lufkin native played college football at the University of Houston before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins.
• Clint Ingram: was charged with felony third-degree Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for taking checks allegedly for more than $30,000 and less than $150,000. The 37-year-old Hallsville, Texas native played quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints.
• Chadwick Massacre: was charged with felony third-degree Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for allegedly taking checks for more than $30,000 and less than $150,000. The 42-year-old Dallas native played offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders.
• James Adkisson: was charged with felony third-degree Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for allegedly taking checks for more than $30,000 and less than $150,000. The 40 year old tight end played in two games for the LA Raiders in 2006 before being cut.
• Fabian Washington: was charged with felony third-degree Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for allegedly taking checks for more than $30,000 and less than $150,000. The 37-year-old played cornerback for the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.
• Derrick Pope: was indicted for the crime of state prison Securing Execution of Documents with Fraud for allegedly taking checks for more than $2,500 and less than $30,000. The 38-year-old Galveston native was recruited by the Miami Dolphins in 2004.

“This fund was created to help ex-players get medical care, and cheating the system means they steal from other players and former teammates,” said DA KIm Ogg in 2020. “Investigating and seeking justice for white-collar criminals takes time, effort and inter-agency cooperation, and we would like to thank them for disclosing this scheme.”