Former Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis has received a postponement from the start of his three-year prison term for a fraud conviction in Manhattan federal court. Judge Valerie E. Caproni granted him an extension until October 22 to begin his sentence for defrauding an insurance plan for NBA players and their families. This decision came after his lawyer explained that Davis was working on a documentary film project about his life.
Davis, a member of the Celtics’ 2008 title team, was one of over twenty individuals convicted for cheating the NBA’s players’ health and benefit welfare plan out of more than $5 million. His lawyer, Brendan White, requested the delay, citing the need for a Hollywood production company to finish the documentary project. White mentioned that arranging interviews with professional teammates and colleagues for the film had been challenging. He also stated that the film’s revenue could potentially help pay off Davis’s $80,000 in restitution.
During his sentencing on May 9, Davis discussed how his career had been derailed by an injury, leading to a period of personal struggles. The loss of basketball, which he considered his expertise, left him feeling lost and disconnected. His lawyer, Sabrina Shroff, highlighted the challenges Davis had faced, describing a time when he was so financially strained that he needed to borrow money to keep his phone operational. Despite these hardships, Caproni noted that Davis had not fully cooperated with probation officers and had not taken steps to address his underlying issues.
Prosecutor’s Perspective
Federal prosecutor Ryan Finkel characterized Davis as one of the most successful basketball players involved in the insurance conspiracy. Davis, now 38 years old, played for the Celtics, Orlando Magic, and LA Clippers from 2007 to 2015 following his collegiate success at LSU. His legal troubles have overshadowed his accomplishments on the court, leading to a delayed prison term in light of his documentary commitments.
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