Poker Writer
Federal prosecutors will bring new charges against Terry Rozier related to the sports gambling case against him. The new indictment against Rozier will charge him with soliciting and accepting a bribe.
The NBA player for the Miami Heat previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges involving rigged poker and sports betting before facing these new charges. The prosecutor for the Eastern District, Kaitlin Ferrell, said that “We have developed evidence that Mr. Rozier solicited and accepted a bribe.”
The game that brought suspicion on Rozier was a March 23, 2023, NBA game between the Charlotte Hornets, for whom Rozier played at the time, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Bettors wagered on the unders for Rozier’s totals, who then removed himself from the game after just nine minutes. Rozier allegedly told Deniro Laster that he would remove himself so that the unders hit.
The current charges that Rozier was facing were also related to wire fraud. The new charges will be filed in mid-May. He is expected back in court for a status hearing on June 10th.
Billups’ Connection to the Case
Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has received a trial date. Billups pleaded not guilty last November in federal court to the charges that he was part of a conspiracy to lure people to poker games rigged by the Mafia. His defense attorney, Mark Mukasey, confirmed the not guilty plea.
The NBA Hall of Famer’s fall from grace began in October, when authorities unveiled investigations into the scheme. The poker games were allegedly backed by organized crime families. The trial date is set for November 2nd, 2026.
Some of Billups’ co-defendants had sought plea deals, but he appears determined to defend his innocence.
There are six men in total who were indicted in October on charges related to the gambling investigation. Another high-profile name in the case, Damon Jones, will plead guilty, the first defendant in the case to do so. He will also plead guilty in the case of the rigged poker game ring.
