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Jefferson Parish – In March of 2021, Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit New Orleans Field Office (LSP-IFAT-NFO) began an investigation regarding 53-year-old Toni Charles and her involvement in the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Reimbursement Account Plan, known as “The Plan”. The fund was established pursuant to the 2006 collective bargaining agreement and provided for tax-free reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical care expenses that were not covered by insurance and that were incurred by former players, their wives and their dependents.

During the investigation, Detectives learned that Charles and former NFL player, the late Normand Hand, had a child together who was a beneficiary of this fund. The investigation revealed that throughout the year of 2018, Charles conspired and executed a scheme to defraud the fund by submitting false claims for medical treatments that were purportedly received on behalf of her son. The claims, totaling approximately $60,000, were sent to the Player Trust Fund, in which Charles was ultimately reimbursed.

As a result of the investigation, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Charles through the 24^th Judicial District Court charging her with Theft (over $25,000) and Forgery. On the morning of January 20, 2022, Charles surrendered herself to detectives. She was arrested on the above charges and booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

The LSP-IFAT-NFO is continuing to investigate additional allegations of fraud committed against Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Trust Fund. Louisiana State Police is asking the public to contact LSP-IFAT-NFO with any information related to this scheme as well as any other insurance fraud related matters. Citizens can report suspected fraud to the LSP-IFAT via: lsp.insurance.fraud.unit@la.gov.