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Shannon Brown is among 18 former NBA players charged in a fraud scheme. | Wilfredo Lee/AP

According to the indictment, the ex-players submitted false and fraudulent claims to get reimbursed for medical and dental expenses that were never actually incurred.

NEW YORK — Eighteen former NBA players were charged Thursday with pocketing about $2.5 million illegally by defrauding the league’s health and welfare benefit plan in a scam that authorities said involved claiming fictitious medical and dental expenses.

“The defendants’ playbook involved fraud and deception,” U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss told a news conference after FBI agents across the country arrested 15 ex-players and one of their wives in a three-year conspiracy that authorities say started in 2017.

According to an indictment returned in Manhattan federal court, the ex-players teamed up to defraud the supplemental coverage plan by submitting fraudulent claims to get reimbursed for medical and dental procedures that never happened.

Strauss said prosecutors have travel records, email and GPS data that proves the ex-players were sometimes far from the medical and dental offices at the times when they were supposedly getting treated.

In one instance, she said, an ex-player was playing basketball in Taiwan when he was supposedly getting $48,000 worth of root canals and crowns on eight teeth at a Beverly Hills, California, dental office in December 2018.

The indictment said the scheme was carried out from at least 2017 to 2020, when the plan — funded primarily by NBA teams — received false claims totaling about $3.9 million. Of that, the defendants received about $2.5 million in fraudulent proceeds.

Strauss said each defendant made false claims for reimbursements that ranged from $65,000 to $420,000.

A request for comment to the league wasn’t immediately returned.

Michael J. Driscoll, the head of New York’s FBI office, said the case demonstrated the FBI’s continued focus on uncovering health care fraud scams that cost the health care industry tens of billions of dollars a year.

Strauss said the conspiracy was led by Terrence Williams, who began his career as a first-round NBA draft pick in 2009. The indictment said he submitted $19,000 in fraudulent claims to the plan in November 2017 for chiropractic care. The claims led to a $7,672 payout for Williams.

The indictment said he then recruited other former NBA players to defraud the plan and offered to provide fraudulent invoices from a chiropractor and dentist in Southern California and a wellness office in Washington state.

At least 10 of the ex-players paid kickbacks totaling about $230,000 to Williams, according to the court papers. A lawyer who has represented Williams in the past declined to comment.

What was then the New Jersey Nets picked Williams as No. 11 in the 2009 draft. He went on to play with four franchises — the Nets, Boston, Houston and Sacramento — over four seasons as a role player, averaging 7.1 points per game. He was waived by Boston two days after his 26th birthday in 2013 and hasn’t appeared in the league since.

Among those charged was former Crane player Tony Allen, a six-time All-Defensive team selection and a member of the 2008 champion Boston Celtics. His wife was also indicted. For the most part, though, the ex-players charged had journeyman careers playing for several different teams and never reached anywhere close to the enormous stardom or salary that top players command.

Another former player charged in the scheme was Sebastian Telfair, a onetime high school star in New York who was highly touted when he turned pro, though his NBA career with eight franchises never brought the stardom some had expected.

Those charged also included four NBA champions. Glen Davis, along with Allen, was part of that 2008 title team in Boston. Shannon Brown — a former Proviso East player — won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Melvin Ely won a title with San Antonio in 2007. Brown also appeared in six games while a member of the Bulls in 2007-08. Ely played high school basketball at Thornton Township.

Among others who were charged, Tony Wroten, Ruben Patterson and Darius Miles were the only players who averaged double figures for their NBA career. Miles played his high school ball at East St. Louis.

Wroten averaged 11.1 points in 145 career games. Patterson averaged 10.7 points per game with six different teams. Miles, the No. 3 pick in the 2000 draft, averaged 10.1 points per game and played with four different franchises.

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Theodore Thomas, seen here in 1898, the most famous American conductor of the 19th century, wasn’t about to let a detail like Chicago burning to the ground cancel his most lucrative concert of the season. | Alfred Cox photo/Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association

Future CSO founder Theodore Thomas arrived here in time to witness the Great Chicago Fire.

Here’s a joke that Chicago residents told immediately after the Great Fire:

Question: Why is Theodore Thomas different than Nero? Answer: Because one fiddled away while Rome burned, and the the other roamed away while his fiddles burned.

Not a thigh-slapper, to be sure. And for the joke to make any sense today, you need to know that Thomas was a famous orchestra conductor. When Thomas played a program of Johann Strauss in New York, critics said he wielded the baton better than the composer himself.

Tickets going on sale for his October 1871 Chicago performance created a furor. The Tribune predicted the concert would be “one of the most notable events in the history of music in Chicago.”

It wasn’t. The performance was set for Crosby’s Opera House on Oct. 9, 1871 — 150 years ago Saturday. By curtain time Crosby’s, and much of the city around it, would be ash and ruin.

The date of the Great Chicago Fire is remembered as Oct. 8, 1871 because that’s when it began, about 9:30 p.m. in the barn behind Mrs. O’Leary’s home on the near southwest side. But by midnight it was no historic fire; just another blaze on par with a big fire the day before.

The next day — Monday, Oct. 9 — was when it earned the word “great,” leaping across the river, twice, first ravaging downtown, then jumping to the North Side.

J. Paul Getty Museum
Clark Street, looking north from Harrison Street, after the fire.

How a story comes out depends upon where you begin it. In my tale of the fire coming in a special section in this Sunday’s Sun-Times, I start the story in July of 1871, for reasons that will be plain if you read it. The Sun-Times is running its package of stories two days after the anniversary, perhaps to create a sense of anticipation. The Tribune has been pelting its readers with fire stories for the past six weeks, so by the actual anniversary, I imagine they’ll want to run shrieking from any mention of the fire. While you guys have something to savor.

Thomas isn’t in Sunday’s story, since his connection to the fire is so fleeting. Though it is a marvelous moment.

Imagine the scene. The train carrying Thomas and his orchestra pulls into the 22nd Street station. The most lucrative performance of their tour, set for tonight. Thomas is informed the train cannot proceed because the city is burning down.

What would you do? I guarantee it is not what Theodore Thomas did.

“He ordered his musicians to pick up their instruments and personal baggage and follow him the rest of the way on foot,” according to Eugene H. Cropsey, in his history of the of the Crosby Opera House.

You don’t reach the pinnacle of 19th century American classical music by being a creampuff. The orchestra marches into the fiery chaos.

“They found themselves in the midst of the most dire confusion,” Crospey writes. “The street was choked with furniture and other household and personal belongings. Some people were running through the crowd crying and cursing, others sat trembling on their trunks and bundles, hollow-eyed and in despair.”

Someone assured Thomas the opera house was rubble and there were no hotels available. They returned to their train and fled to Joliet.

Afterward, Chicagoans who had excitedly bought tickets tried to get their money back. To me, this is one of those piquant details that compress time, connecting us who are alive today with those of 150 years ago in a bond of sympathy and understanding. The opera house was ash and Thomas gone. He insisted, via letter, that he had returned the ticket money to the organizers, so it wasn’t his problem anymore. Still, holders of Chicago tickets tried to use them at Thomas performances in other cities, and were refused.

I don’t want to leave you with a bad impression of Thomas. He made it up to us.

By the late 1880s, he was tiring of touring the country. “I would go to hell if they gave me a permanent orchestra” he complained, and Chicago businessman C. Norman Fay said that could be arranged. Thomas founded the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1891 and after his death in 1905 the CSO was renamed the Theodore Thomas Orchestra for eight years. Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven each have their names carved once on the facade of Orchestra Hall. Theodore Thomas’s name is carved there twice.

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Today we share with you a proud moment as Time Out announced its global Coolest Neighborhoods in the world right now, with Andersonville in Chicago taking the #2 spot.

For the past few years, we’ve talked a lot about how Chicago is committed and dedicated to making a difference in creating an environment that’s safe and welcoming for everybody. And what speaks more volume than our very own neighborhood nominated as the second coolest neighborhood in the entire world?

Best Queer Bars in Andersonville

Known as Chicago’s Swedish district, Andersonville is for its LGBTQ+ nightlife. Here, you will find queer bars for everything from a casual hangout or a fancy date night.

https://www.instagram.com/atmospherebarchicago/

Atmosphere

5355 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

This neon-filled gar is never short of male go-go dancers, drag queens, DJs, and a good time. Plus, they have a solid drink and food menu even if you’re just in the mood for a quick bite.

Image Credit: Nobody’s Darling

Nobody’s Darling

1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

This black-owned queer bar is gaining popularity like no other. If you go, make sure you try their CBD-infused cocktail! This place has such a good vibe that it will keep you coming back for more.

The Sofo Tap

4923 N Clark St 1st floor, Chicago, IL 60640

Sofo on Clark is a quaint neighborhood gay bar for anyone wanting a casual night out. They have games and theme nights, and amazing daily and happy hour drink specials. Oh, and pay attention that they have different drafts on the inside and the outside.

Marty’s

1511 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Marty’s is all about the retro, elegant, and intimate atmosphere. Come here alone, with a friend, or a for a special date. The friendly staff and highly skilled bartenders will make sure you have an unforgettable night.

https://www.facebook.com/thecallbar/photos/1658779970975097

The Call

1547 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

The Call is the best place to go if you’re looking for theme night and music! You can check their website for nightly themes. And don’t forget to indulge yourself in their martinis. After all, The Call is a martini bar!

Best Restaurants in Andersonville

Accompanied by the various bars and restaurants on the Clark Street corner, Andersonville is known for its amazing dining culture. From contemporary American to ethnic food, Andersonville is ready to pamper your taste buds to the fullest.

Little Bad Wolf

1541 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

This spot is our editor’s personal favorite for a hearty load of Mac N’ Cheese. Their buns, tacos, and fries are also top-notch. In short, this place is a treat in every sense.

Vincent

1475 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Step into the artistic world of Vincent Chicago and treat yourself to one of their signature cocktails. This is also one of the best places for Oysters in Andersonville.

Image Credit: Taste of Lebanon

Taste of Lebanon

1509 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

You know how the best food is always hidden in plain sight? That’s true! Taste of Lebanon is a no-frills, counter-serve spot serving traditional Lebanese fare including falafel, kebabs & more.

Image Credit: Calo Ristorante

Calo Ristorante

5343 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Calo Ristorante is a neighborhood favorite when it comes to American and Italian cuisine. Everyone loves its Old World setting because it feels so much like walking into an old movie.

Things to Do in Andersonville

Andersonville is an exciting clash of cultures and creativities. The neighborhood is full of artisan shops, beautiful murals, historic destinations, and ethnic markets.

Andersonville Galleria

5247 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

If you’re an art lover, you must go to Andersonville Galleria — the best-known artisan goods market in the neighborhood. From potteries, decors, fashions, to original art pieces, they have everything you could ask for.

The Wings Mural

5400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Chicago is all about murals, one of them being the famous rainbow wings in Andersonville. Over hte years, it has become a must-see spot for the LGBTQ+ community.

Swedish American Museum

5211 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

This place is more than a museum for arts, history, and culture, but a hidden gem for foodies who’d love to have some authentic Swedish snacks. You’ll find coffee, to-go pastries, and gift items available in their shop.

Gethsemane Garden Center

5739 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660

Who doesn’t want to live in a safe haven of plants and flowers? Gethsemane Garden Center will transform your house into Garden of Eden. Beyond regular houseplants and terrain plants, they also provide custom containers and silk arrangements.

Middle East Bakery and Grocery

1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Goodies. So many goodies. Middle East Bakery and Grocery is one of our favorite places to satisfy our snack and dessert cravings. You can also get the best spices, lentils, and other ingredients here to make yourself an authentic middle east feast at home.

More About Andersonville, Chicago

Andersonville’s proximity to beaches and coastal parks has made it an even more appealing place to live and visit in the past 18 months, with a conscientious community launching initiatives like Clark Street Composts – a pilot program for eco-friendly composting.

In the next few months, we will continue to uncover fun happenings in Andersonville. So make sure you are with us on social media!

Featured Image Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis

The post Andersonville Named #2 Coolest Neighborhood in the World appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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The network is providing a free preview of the channel through next Friday, putting it in approximately 75 million homes during that period. That’s on par with FS1, which will air the rest of the series.

Some White Sox fans might’ve been concerned when they saw that Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Friday against the Astros will air exclusively on MLB Network. Surely, many asked themselves whether they have the channel.

Odds are, no matter whether you had it before, you have it now.

For the sixth consecutive year, MLB Network said it’s providing a free preview of the channel through next Friday, expanding its distribution to put it on par with FS1, which will air the rest of the series. That means approximately 75 million homes will have MLB Network during that period.

According to the network, Chicago-area customers of AT&T U-verse, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network and RCN will benefit. WOW doesn’t carry the network, so it won’t have the free preview. MLB Network is available on streaming services DIRECTV Stream, fubo TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

As part of baseball’s national-media rights agreement, MLB Network has aired two exclusive playoff games every year since 2012. It also will air Game 3 of the Red Sox-Rays series Sunday. The network takes from Fox’s inventory, which this year is the AL playoffs. During the Cubs’ World Series run in 2016, MLB Network aired Game 2 of their National League Division Series against the Giants.

Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, Buck Showalter and reporter Tom Verducci will call the Sox-Astros game from Minute Maid Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 p.m. Coverage will begin on the network’s morning show, “MLB Central,” at 9 a.m. and continue with the “MLB Tonight” pregame show at 11 a.m.

Watch for the network’s open, “MLB So Theatrical,” which was composed by producer Will Wells, who worked on the Broadway show “Hamilton.” Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth will make a cameo at the end of the tease.

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The Water Tower was among the few structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire. | J. Paul Getty Museum

As the city approaches the 150th anniversary of the 1871 fire, here’s a look back at how Chicagoans celebrated the 25th anniversary.

As published in the Chicago Daily News, sister publication of the Chicago Sun-Times:

In 1896, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 would have been a still-fresh memory for many residents in the same way the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks still felt raw for many on the 20th anniversary last month.

But on the 25th anniversary of the fire that year, the city decided to go all out to celebrate its comeback and “unparalleled triumph,” according to the Oct. 9 edition of the Chicago Daily News, with a parade of over 100,000 marchers led by Gen. Joseph Stockton.

Chicago’s rise from the ashes of the destructive fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871 and burned until Oct. 10, astounded many. Over 300 people died in the fire, and another 100,000 were left homeless. The fire destroyed more than 17,000 buildings and 1.5 million acres of the city. Recovery, however, moved swiftly despite other setbacks (including more city fires), and by 1896, residents felt ready to celebrate.

“When the parade commenced to move from the lakefront at 10:12 o’clock this morning, the downtown portion of the city was crowded with struggling but good-natured humanity,” a Daily News reporter observed. “Business had been for the greater part suspended in order to bring into line the army of employees and employers of downtown business houses. Everyone who could get away had hastened to the central thoroughfares to watch the progress of this procession that was to be 13 miles long.”

The parade started at the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue, the paper reported. People watched from the balconies of the hotels along the avenue, the report said, as the procession turned onto Van Buren Street and passed the unfinished L tracks, on which “such a mass of people that a spectator could not have told whether their perch was an L road or a reviewing stand.” From there, the parade wound its way around downtown.

Unlike other parades, this one had no military members marching or “flash of steel to dazzle the eyes of onlookers.” Instead, marshals on horseback dressed in civilian attire, the reporter noted, as a sign of solidarity with all citizens. Members of nearly every trade in the city also walked in the procession. One trade had over 10,000 members in attendance.

Business owners marched alongside their employees. “Rank on rank, these men, who never marched before,” the reporter said, “pressed on behind a score of bands, all playing different tunes. … These businessmen wore their everyday clothes, covered with badges and decorations.”

“These men who rode side by side or marched shoulder to shoulder were celebrating the victory of peace, the growth of a mighty fortress of commerce, and they were for the most part the habiliments of everyday life in which the grandest civic triumph of the century had been accomplished,” the reporter said.

While the colors red, white and blue could be seen all over the parade, yellow — the color of gold — could be seen just as prominently. At the time, the national monetary standard debate between gold versus bimetallism (which would make both gold and silver standards legal) was the most important issue of the upcoming U.S. presidential election between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. In Chicago, parade marchers supported the gold standard and wore yellow ribbons to make their enthusiasm clear.

Almost all the people in the parade marched, “otherwise the line of march would have been so long that it would have been impossible to handle it,” the reporter said. The one exception? Civil War veterans. As they road along, men inside the carriages would send up “a feeble cheer, which was no sooner heard than it was taken up and swelled to a mighty roar of tribute to the grizzled defenders of the nation.”

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Police say these men shot someone Sept. 5 in the 2900 block of North Lawndale Avenue in Logan Square. | Chicago police

The pair opened fire from a motorcycle as they rode next to another vehicle shortly after midnight Sept. 5 in the 2900 block of North Lawndale Avenue, police say.

Chicago police released photos of two men wanted for shooting a man in September in Logan Square on the Northwest Side.

The pair opened fire from a motorcycle as they rode next to another vehicle shortly after midnight Sept. 5 in the 2900 block of North Lawndale Avenue, police said.

A 22-year-old man in the rear seat of the car was shot in the back of his head, police said. He was listed in critical condition at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Police asked anyone with information to call Area Five detectives at (312) 746-6554.

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