Clinton Portis federal trial results in hung jury

Former NFL running back Clinton Portis’ federal fraud trial has resulted in a hung jury.

Per Pro Football Talk, jurors were deadlocked on all counts as to Portis. As of Tuesday afternoon, a note from jurors to the presiding judge indicated that the jurors were “very hung up” on Portis and that “tempers are running hot.” On Wednesday, the jurors determined that a verdict could not be reached.

Portis was among six players that had been accused of committing fraud in connection with the health-care plan for retired NFL players.

Portis faced charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The charges relate to the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Plan.

Clinton Portis was originally charged in the Eastern District of Kentucky in December 2019 for their alleged roles in the fraud, but new charges arose in 2020. Portis was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of health care fraud and two counts of wire fraud.

The six players had been accused of making false purchases of expensive medical equipment then asking for reimbursement. Allegedly, the six claimed to have bought cryotherapy machines and other pricey equipment that ranged from $40,000-$50,000, but never actually made the purchase.

The other five ex-players involved are Darrell Reid, Antwan Odom, Anthony Montgomery, Tamarick Vanover and Robert McCune.

Vanover was convicted on multiple counts but a motion for a mistrial was granted to him.

Seven other former NFL players have already pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the scheme including Correll Buckhalter, James Butler, Joseph Horn, Etric Pruitt, Ceandris Brown, John Eubanks and Reche Caldwell.

Just last week, an arrest warrant was issued for Clinton Portis over unpaid child support. According to Jennifer Cabrera of the Alachua Chronicle, Portis has failed to make a single payment on a monthly obligation of $1,937 for a child born in March 2015. Portis filed for bankruptcy protection in 2015.

Clinton Portis played nine years in the NFL, seven with the Washington Football Team and two with the Denver Broncos. In nine seasons, Portis accumulated 9,923 rushing yards, 2018 receiving yards and 80 total touchdowns from scrimmage. Portis started 108 of 113 available games and averaged 4.4 yards per rush attempt. In his career, Portis made two Pro Bowls and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2008.

Clinton Portis was drafted the second round by Denver in the 2002 NFL Draft out of Miami. In his time at Miami, Portis rushed for 2,523 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons. Portis was a member of the legendary Miami National Championship team of 2001 that featured the likes of Ken Dorsey, Andre Johnson, Ed Reed, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Jeremy Shockey, Vince Wilfork, Sean Taylor and Jonathan Vilma.