Introduction to the Scandal
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were among more than 30 people charged in connection with schemes involving illegal sports betting, and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia, according to authorities.
Billups and Rozier Expected to Make Their First Court Appearances
Chauney Billups and Terry Rozier are facing money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges and were expected to make initial court appearances later Thursday. The Associated Press reported that former NBA assistant coach and player Damon Jones was also arrested and is charged with participating in both schemes.
Billups was charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games in Las Vegas, Miami, Manhattan and the Hamptons that were backed by La Cosa Nostra Crime families. Rozier was accused in a second scheme to create fraudulent bets by exploiting confidential information about NBA athletes and teams.
Billups and Rozier have been placed on leave from their teams, according to the NBA.
Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney, released a statement obtained by the Associated Press where Trusty explained that Rozier is "not a gambler" and "looks forward to winning this fight." Trusty said the FBI had previously said his client was not a target in the probe.
But at 6 a.m. "they called to tell me FBI agents were trying to arrest him in a hotel," Trusty said. "It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self-surrender they opted for a photo op. They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case."
According to the Associated Press, the indictments unsealed in New York create a huge cloud for the NBA and show how certain types of wagers are vulnerable to massive fraud in the growing, multi-billion-dollar legal sports-betting industry.
More Than 30 People Arrested in Gambling Probe
The Eastern District of New York and FBI Director Kash Patel spoke during a Thursday morning news conference detailing the scope of the gambling investigation.
FBI director Kash Patel said that more than 30 people were arrested. "This is an illegal gambling operation and sports rigging operation that spanned years." Patel said, according to FOX 5 New York reporter Meredith Gorman.
"It’s not hundreds of dollars. It’s not thousands of dollars. It’s not tens of thousands of dollars. It’s not even millions of dollars," Patel said. "We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation."
According to the Associated Press, the alleged fraud is historic in terms of money and the deceit used to steal and swindle, including crypto fraud, Patel said.
Billups, Rozier Arrested in Gambling Probe
NBA legend and current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncy Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are in FBI custody this morning following a gambling probe. Rozier was in uniform as the Heat played the Magic in Orlando Wednesday evening, though he did not play in the game. The league has investigated Rozier previously and still is looking into the actions of former Detroit player Malik Beasley. The exact chargers Billups and Rozier face have not been released.
Related Cases
The AP reported that the indictments are related to two major cases, one involving sports betting and the second involving rigged poker games, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said at a news conference with Patel.
In the first case, six defendants are accused of participating in an insider sports betting conspiracy that exploited confidential information about NBA athletes and teams, Nocella said.
He called it "one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized in the United States."
The second case involves 31 defendants in a nationwide scheme to rig illegal poker games, Nocella added. Citing authorities, the AP noted that the defendants include former professional athletes accused of using technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in underground poker games in the New York area that were backed by Mafia families, Nocella stated.
NBA Releases Statement
The NBA released a statement on the matter Thursday writing:
"We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today," the league said in its statement. "Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority."
Conclusion
The arrests of Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups in connection with illegal sports betting and rigged poker games have sent shockwaves through the NBA. The league has taken swift action, placing both individuals on leave, and has pledged to cooperate fully with the authorities. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what further consequences will arise for those involved.
FAQs
- Who were arrested in the gambling probe?
- Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were among more than 30 people arrested.
- What were the charges against Billups and Rozier?
- They were facing money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges.
- What is the nature of the investigation?
- The investigation involves illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia.
- How has the NBA responded to the arrests?
- The NBA has placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave and will continue to cooperate with the authorities.
- What is the potential impact on the NBA?
- The scandal creates a huge cloud for the NBA, showing how certain types of wagers are vulnerable to massive fraud in the growing legal sports-betting industry.
