Indictment of Terry Rozier
In October, federal authorities revealed an indictment against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, linking him to an alleged illegal sports betting operation. This indictment was previously connected to a former Toronto Raptor player, Jontay Porter, who was arrested for participating in a similar scheme involving fraudulent prop bets.
Investigation Details
Reports indicate that seven games were thought to be influenced by this alleged conspiracy, but prosecutors have also announced that they are examining additional games as part of their investigation, as reported by Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
While specifics regarding the number of additional games or potential players involved remain limited, connections to organized crime figures implicated in this inquiry have come to light. Timothy McCormack, one of these figures, received a two-year federal prison sentence last week. He admitted to his involvement in placing bets on the same games that included Porter and Rozier, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to the Eastern District’s attorneys, investigations continue, with indications that McCormack was potentially involved in other unpublicized games.
“The government has ongoing investigations,” stated David Berman, an assistant U.S. Attorney, during a recent court hearing. He suggested that McCormack’s conduct might extend beyond the current charges.
This pattern may not be surprising, as there has been anticipation that defendants working through the legal system might reveal additional information regarding other games or participants for leniency in their sentences.
NBA’s Cooperation and Changes
The NBA has confirmed that it is cooperating with federal prosecutors throughout this investigation. Allegedly, Rozier and former Cavaliers player and coach Damon Jones (who has ties to LeBron James from their time with the Lakers) were operating under scrutiny for providing gamblers with insider knowledge. This included instances such as Rozier exiting games early due to injury or illness, creating an advantage for bettors wagering against his prop bet spread.
Throughout the investigation, Rozier has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the NBA has initiated changes, particularly in how injuries are reported, to minimize the risk of inside information affecting betting outcomes before they are made public, aiming to preserve the integrity of the sport.
