NBA shocked as Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrested in federal gambling probe
The NBA is facing its biggest integrity crisis in years as Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday as part of a federal investigation into alleged illegal sports betting and rigged poker games tied to organized crime.
“This is one of the most blatant sports corruption schemes since online sports betting was widely legalized in the United States,” said Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
FBI Director Kash Patel compared the operation to corporate insider trading, calling it “the NBA’s insider trading saga.” It is alleged that between December 2022 and March 2024, Rozier provided non-public information about NBA players and games, which bettors then used to profit from “under” and injury-related bets.
Prosecutors said Rozier tipped off childhood friend Deniro Laster before a Hornets game on March 23, 2023, telling him he was leaving early because of a “suspected injury.” Rust allegedly sold the information for $100,000, resulting in hundreds of thousands of successful bets.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusti, maintained his client’s innocence, saying: “Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight and he expects to win the fight.”
The NBA Players Association added, “The integrity of the game is paramount to NBA players, but so is the presumption of innocence… We will ensure our members are protected and have due process rights.”
While Billups was not charged in the sports betting case, he faces separate charges for allegedly helping an underground poker operation backed by a Mafia family. Prosecutors said he was a “face card” used to lure victims into games packed with high-tech cheating devices, including X-ray tables and marked decks of cards.
“Victims thought they were sitting at a fair table. Instead, they were defrauded of millions of dollars,” Nocera said.
Billups, a five-time All-Star and NBA Finals MVP in 2004, was arrested in Portland and immediately placed on administrative leave by the Trail Blazers. Assistant coach Thiago Split will serve as interim head coach.
“We take these allegations very seriously,” the NBA said in a statement. “The integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
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