The NFL has had some trouble with their healthcare fund recently. It's not due to their neglect, though: former players have been apparently defrauding the NFL's funds for retired players for personal gains. Just last year, an ex-New Orleans Saints player by the name of Joe Horn admitted to defrauding said system.

Now, another case of NFL healthcare fraud is making the headlines. Toni Charles, a former partner of ex-Saints lineman Norman Hand and had a child with him, was arrested recently for defrauding the NFL. According to the Associated Press:

“Charles responded to an arrest warrant by turning herself in to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, where she was booked on charges of theft of more than $25,000 and forgery. It was not immediately clear whether she had legal representation.”

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Charles allegedly used the name of her son with the former Saints player to grab money illegitimately from the NFL's Gene Upshaw Reimbursement Plan. The plan was created in 2006 as a way to support retired players and their dependents with payments for medical expenses not covered by their insurance.

NFL healthcare fraud cases have been a problem for the past few years. Just recently, Clinton Portis, former star of the Washington Football Team, was found guilty of defrauding the NFL and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Unfortunately, this will not be the last time someone tries to game the NFL's system for helping retired players. It's unfortunate that a system designed to aid those who played for the league was abused by the same players it aimed to help. Hopefully, this doesn't discourage the NFL from continuing this program.