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NBA Integrity Is on Trial
Miami waived Rozier on April 10, but the broader case — involving seven defendants, Chauncey Billups, and an imminent guilty plea from Damon Jones — raises serious questions about how deeply illegal gambling has penetrated professional basketball.
New Charges Incoming
Federal prosecutors are adding sports bribery and honest services fraud to Rozier’s existing wire fraud and money laundering charges via superseding indictment, expected by mid-May 2026.
The Scheme Was Specific
The case centers on the March 23, 2023 Hornets-Pelicans game, where Rozier allegedly tipped off gamblers that he would fake an injury — and 30 coordinated “under” prop bets all cashed in within minutes.
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The legal situation surrounding former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier took another dramatic turn on Monday, April 27, when federal prosecutors revealed in open court that they intend to bring sweeping new charges against him — including sports bribery and honest services fraud. The announcement came during a hearing before a federal judge in New York, just as Rozier’s attorney was asking the court to dismiss the existing case against him.
Rozier, 32, was originally arrested in October 2025 on two counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Monday’s hearing made clear that his legal troubles are only deepening.
The Game That Started It All
The entire federal case traces back to a single NBA game: March 23, 2023 — Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans.
In the hours before tip-off, one bettor placed 30 wagers in just 46 minutes on the “unders” on Rozier-related prop bets at a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Simultaneously, a coordinated rush of “under” bets on Rozier props flooded multiple sportsbooks in New Orleans. The suspicious activity was so blatant that sportsbooks and the NBA were alerted — and some books stopped taking Rozier prop bets entirely before the game even started.
What happened on the court? Rozier recorded 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 9:34 of first-quarter action — then exited during a timeout, citing a foot injury, and never returned. All 30 “under” prop bets won. He didn’t play the final eight games of that season.
Prosecutors allege that before the game, Rozier told co-defendant Deniro Laster that he planned to fake an injury and leave early. Laster then allegedly sold that inside information to sports gamblers, who cashed in.
Monday’s Bombshell Hearing
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, appeared before the federal judge seeking a full dismissal of the case. What he didn’t know — until two hours before the hearing — was that prosecutors were preparing to add major new charges to his client’s indictment.
Prosecutor Kaitlin Ferrell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York stated plainly in open court:
“We have developed evidence that Mr. Rozier solicited and accepted a bribe.”
The two new charges being added via superseding indictment are:
- Sports Bribery
- Honest Services Fraud
Prosecutors argued that Rozier “deprived the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets of Mr. Rozier’s honest services” — framing both the league and his former team as direct victims of the alleged scheme.
The new charges will be presented to a grand jury, with the superseding indictment expected to be filed by mid-May 2026. Rozier’s next court appearance is a status hearing on June 10.
The Bigger Picture: This Goes Way Beyond Rozier
Rozier is not the only name involved in this case. Federal prosecutors describe a sprawling operation in which non-public information about NBA players was sold and traded to sports gamblers for profit.
- Seven men were originally charged in October 2025.
- Damon Jones — an 11-year NBA veteran — has indicated he will plead guilty, becoming the first defendant in the case to do so.
- Chauncey Billups — former NBA All-Star and head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers at the time of his arrest — was charged in a related case involving an alleged rigged poker ring involving nearly 30 individuals. He has pleaded not guilty.
What This Means for the Miami Heat
The Heat’s direct connection to this story is now closed — but it remains uncomfortable for the franchise.
- Charlotte traded Rozier to Miami in January 2024 — after the game at the center of the federal investigation.
- The NBA placed Rozier on paid leave following the October 2025 charges.
- An arbitrator ruled Rozier must still receive his $26.4 million salary despite the suspension.
- The Heat formally waived Rozier on April 10, 2026.
Miami is no longer on the hook legally or financially — but the fact that a player under active federal investigation suited up for the Heat, even briefly, is a chapter the organization would clearly prefer to move past.
