Former NBA player Terry Rozier hit with new federal bribery and wire fraud conspiracy charges in expanded sports betting case
Former NBA player Terry Rozier faces new federal bribery and wire fraud conspiracy charges in an expanded sports betting case tied to alleged payments linked to a 2023 NBA game
Former NBA player Terry Rozier has been hit with new federal charges, including sports bribery and honest services wire fraud conspiracy, as part of a widening sports betting investigation.
A superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Brooklyn alleges Rozier accepted and solicited a $100,000 bribe in exchange for alerting a group of bettors that he planned to leave a March 2023 game early due to an injury while playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
Prosecutors say Rozier worked with others, including co-defendants Marves Fairley and De’Niro Laster, in what they describe as a “predetermined bribe arrangement” designed to allow wagers to be placed based on his early exit. Rozier was waived by the Miami Heat last month.
The indictment also alleges the payout was later reduced to $70,000 after Rozier’s in-game performance exceeded expectations, including recording four rebounds that affected betting outcomes.
Rozier’s attorney dismissed the new charges, saying they are an attempt to “make something stick” after earlier allegations were challenged in court.
The new filing comes a day after Fairley pleaded guilty in the broader case, admitting in court to paying a player to alter performance for betting advantage. A federal prosecutor identified Rozier as that player during the hearing. Fairley’s attorney said his client accepted responsibility and regretted his actions.
Prosecutors also allege Rozier deprived the NBA and the Hornets of his “honest and faithful services” through bribery and kickbacks. Laster and another co-defendant, Shane Hennen, were also charged with bribery-related offenses in the updated indictment.
Rozier already faces separate charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering from an earlier indictment, which accused him of sharing nonpublic information about his planned performance with associates who then sold it to bettors placing more than $200,000 in wagers.
He has pleaded not guilty to the original charges and previously sought dismissal of the case, arguing federal fraud laws were being stretched beyond their limits.
The case is part of a broader federal investigation into illegal gambling schemes involving alleged rigged poker games and betting tied to NBA activity. Authorities say the two related operations have generated more than $10 million in illicit gains.
More than 30 people have been charged in connection with the investigation, including alleged members of organized crime families, a current NBA coach, and a former NBA player.
Comments
Post a Comment