By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Video
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 20 – Former NBA players Sebastian Telfair, Terrance Williams, Anthony Allen and 15 others former players were named in an indictment unsealed on October 7, 2021 for defrauding the NBA health fund, in Telfair's case, for $350,000.
Telfair nevertheless got a publicly funded lawyer. Inner City Press was there, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrates Court and live tweeted it here and below(street video here)
Meanwhile this: "ORDER as to Sebastian Telfair. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a bail review hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:30 A.M.
Inner City Press went to the courtroom at that time. Judge Caproni, just finished with a sentencing in the case, told Telfair, I do not want to remand you but I would. She told Telfair to be sure to comply with his conditions, including drug treatment; she noted he was already showing up for mental health treatment. She asked Telfair, What will happen if you do not comply? "You're going to put me in jail," Telfair replied. Judge Caproni nodded and wished him well.
On June 26, 2023, Telfair's lawyer wrote in to ask for a delay in sentencing: "Mr. Telfair has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. I write with the consent of the government to respectfully request a ten-week adjournment of his sentencing hearing, currently set for August 1, 2023. This is my first request for an adjournment. Mr. Telfair has appealed his 2017 state conviction for criminal possession of a weapon to the New York Court of Appeals, and the outcome of the appeal could materially affect his sentence in this matter"- full letter on Patreon here.
Telfair on January 30, 2024 was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release. On November 12 violation of supervision was alleged, and a November 20 hearing set. Inner City Press went.
Judge Caproni said drug tests have been failed, but there is a job on the horizon - and if not, community service - and "I'm glad you're smoking less." She set another proceeding for February.
Telfair walking away from photographers after court, photo by Matthew Russell Lee 10/7/21
The case is US v. Williams, et al., 21-cr-603 (Caproni)
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