Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier was arrested early Thursday morning in Orlando and charged in a federal sports activities betting and cash laundering case that prosecutors say concerned utilizing nonpublic details about NBA gamers and accidents to put unlawful wagers.
U.S. Legal professional for the Japanese District of New York Joseph Nocella stated Rozier is considered one of six defendants within the first of two large-scale federal instances, each tied to an overlapping community of unlawful playing and arranged crime.
“Your profitable streak has ended,” Nocella stated throughout a Thursday morning information convention. “Violating the regulation is a shedding proposition.”
Rozier charged with wire fraud and cash laundering conspiracy
In keeping with Nocella, Rozier and others are accused of defrauding sportsbooks through the use of confidential, nonpublic details about when sure NBA gamers would sit out video games or withdraw on account of accidents. Prosecutors stated the group used that data to realize an unfair benefit in inserting bets.
Rozier is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit cash laundering.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the primary case as a “wide-sweeping prison enterprise” that blurred the strains between the NBA and arranged crime.
“That is an unlawful playing and rigging operation that spanned the course of years,” Patel stated. “This fraud is historic in its scheme.”
Rozier’s arrest got here simply hours after the Warmth’s season-opening sport Wednesday night time towards the Orlando Magic, a sport he didn’t play in regardless of being listed on the lively roster. Rozier was arrested by federal authorities at a Orlando lodge.
Second case ties to New York organized crime households
In a separate however associated case, 31 defendants had been charged with working unlawful, high-stakes poker video games that federal brokers say had been mounted utilizing expertise to control outcomes.
Portland Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA participant Damon had been arrested in connection to this case, authorities confirmed.
Prosecutors stated the operation stretched from New York to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Miami and concerned members of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime households, who beforehand managed different underground playing networks in New York.
13 alleged mob associates had been charged in reference to that scheme.
Nocella stated three people overlap between the 2 instances, bringing the whole variety of defendants to 34 nationwide.
Earlier this yr in a separate case, former NBA participant Gilbert Arenas was arrested for allegedly working an unlawful playing and poker ring out of a California residence that he owned.
Rozier’s rise with the Boston Celtics
Earlier than becoming a member of Miami, Rozier spent 4 seasons with the Boston Celtics, the place he constructed a fame as a tenacious defender and clutch playoff performer.
Drafted by Boston in 2015, he grew to become a breakout participant within the 2017-18 postseason, averaging 16.5 factors, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists whereas serving to lead the crew to the Japanese Convention Finals.
Rozier later performed 4 and a half seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging greater than 19 factors per sport earlier than being traded to the Miami Warmth in early 2024.
In keeping with earlier reporting from ESPN and CBS Sports activities, federal investigators had been inspecting uncommon betting exercise linked to a March 2023 sport when Rozier performed for the Charlotte Hornets, together with heavy wagers on his participant stats. On the time, the NBA stated it discovered no proof that Rozier violated league guidelines.
Crew officers and Warmth head coach Erik Spoelstra haven’t commented publicly on Rozier’s arrest.
