MIAMI (AP) _ Two former NFL players and a third ex-football player are among eight people charged in a South Florida tax refund and identity theft scheme.
Federal prosecutors said Tuesday the FBI operated an undercover check-cashing store in North Miami used by the suspects from February through April.
The group allegedly cashed about $500,000 in fraudulent refund checks.
The money was paid out of FBI funds and no checks were actually cashed.
Former Oakland Raiders and New York Giants defensive tackle William Joseph is one of the former NFL players arrested.
The other is running back Michael Bennett, once a Minnesota Vikings first-round pick who played for several other teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A third ex-player, Louis Gachelin, played professionally in Europe.
They face forgery and theft charges. It wasn’t immediately clear if they had lawyers.
