A former college and professional football player once poised for success now faces serious legal consequences for orchestrating one of the largest health care fraud schemes in recent years.
Keith J. Gray, a former University of Connecticut offensive lineman and brief NFL player, was convicted this week in federal court for his role in a $328 million Medicare genetic testing fraud.
Gray, who played center at UConn and started 13 games in 2007, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He spent short stints with the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts but never appeared in a regular season game.
After a brief tenure in the now-defunct United Football League, Gray retired from professional football and turned his attention to the health care industry, founding Axis Professional Labs LLC and Kingdom Health Laboratory LLC, two Texas-based clinical laboratories.
According to federal prosecutors, Gray masterminded a complex and highly profitable scheme that billed Medicare for unnecessary genetic tests meant to evaluate cardiovascular disease risks.
Investigators revealed that marketers targeted Medicare beneficiaries, often contacting seniors directly to gather personal information and identify their primary care physicians. These “doctor chasing” tactics pressured doctors into approving tests that were not medically necessary.
Prosecutors detailed how Gray concealed illegal payments using a series of fake contracts and bookkeeping maneuvers. Some payments were disguised as marketing fees, others as software charges, and some even listed as nonexistent loans.
Text messages presented at trial illustrated Gray‘s awareness of the scheme’s illegality, including discussions of personal expenditures funded by the fraudulent profits.
The Department of Justice stated that Gray‘s labs submitted approximately $328 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, with about $54 million actually paid out before detection.
Investigators also noted that Gray used a portion of these funds to purchase luxury vehicles, including high-end trucks and SUVs, highlighting the personal enrichment involved.
The legal fallout and broader implications
A federal jury found Gray guilty on nine counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, multiple violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and money laundering. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and Gray‘s sentencing date is scheduled for a future hearing.
The case underscores the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on health care fraud, particularly schemes targeting Medicare. It also highlights the risks when individuals exploit trusted positions within health care for personal gain.
This conviction sends a clear message that large-scale fraud, even by former public figures, will not go unchecked, and the government continues to aggressively pursue those who attempt to profit at the expense of vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries.