Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Former NFL Player Convicted in $197M Medicare Fraud Scheme

2/5/2026

37 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Joel Rufus French, a former NFL player from Amory, Mississippi, was convicted of $197 million in Medicare fraud.
The Justice Department announced on February 3 that French ran a long-running scheme selling patient information and fake orders for orthotic braces.
He paid fake telemedicine companies for signed orders from officials who never met patients.
He faces up to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.

1 of 1

Story summary

Joel Rufus French, a former NFL player from Amory, Mississippi, was convicted of $197 million in Medicare fraud.
The Justice Department announced on February 3 that French ran a long-running scheme selling patient information and fake orders for orthotic braces.
He paid fake telemedicine companies for signed orders from officials who never met patients.
He faces up to 35 years in prison for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.