3 NFL players arrested for fraud

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MIAMI, May 1 (UPI) -- The FBI said it has arrested three former National Football League players in an identity-theft scheme to file false tax returns in other people's names.

William Joseph, former defensive tackle for the New York Giants; Michael Bennett, former running back for the Minnesota Vikings and Louis Gachelin, former defensive tackle for the New England Patriots, were all charged with defrauding the federal government and identity theft.

The Miami Herald reported all three were arrested Monday and appeared before a federal judge in Miami Tuesday. About six other defendants were arrested in the same investigation. FBI spokesman Mike Leverock declined to comment on details of the scheme. Authorities said the case demonstrates the rise in identity theft crimes in South Florida.