An audit by Special Masters David A. Hoffman and Jo-Ann M. Verrier accuses five law firms of orchestrating a scheme to defraud the NFL's concussion settlement fund of over $87 million. The firms allegedly worked with doctors to provide improper Parkinson's disease diagnoses for 98 players seeking compensation, then prescribed medications before evaluations by fund-approved physicians.

The investigation found that players arrived at appointments already taking drugs like Levodopa, which masked symptoms. Fund-affiliated doctors reportedly deferred to outside medical records rather than conducting independent assessments. While the decision doesn't dispute legitimate Parkinson's diagnoses, it targets the fraudulent diagnostic process used to obtain compensation.

Named firms include Douglas Grossinger, Feder Law LLC, Pro Athlete Law Firm PA, Syme Law PLLC, and Reppert Oates & Vytell LLC. All declined or didn't respond to comment requests. The NFL, which has paid over $1.5 billion to former players through the uncapped settlement, called the special masters' decision "necessary" and hopes it deters future misconduct.

This marks another controversy for the concussion settlement, which has faced complaints about its review process and narrow compensation path. The special masters have ordered a complete overhaul of Parkinson's diagnosis procedures and denied pending claims tied to the accused attorneys and eight doctors. Their findings could be referred to federal authorities for criminal investigation.