NBA player Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty Wednesday to new charges of sports bribery and honest services wire fraud conspiracy stemming from what authorities allege was his role in a sprawling sports betting scheme. <\/p>\n
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Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, claimed Rozier solicited and accepted a $100,000 bribe in exchange for tipping off a group of bettors about his plan to leave a game early because of an injury.<\/p>\n
Rozier was playing for the Charlotte Hornets and logged just 9\u00bd minutes during a March 23, 2023, game in New Orleans before he checked out with an alleged injury. <\/p>\n
Prosecutors aren\u2019t accusing Rozier of specifically throwing the game, per se. Instead, they say Rozier\u2019s \u201cpurported injury\u201d allowed his co-defendant bettors to place \u201cmore than $200,000 in wagers predicting Rozier\u2019s \u2018under\u2019 statistics.\u201d<\/p>\n
The indictment didn\u2019t specify what \u201cunder\u201d prop bets were attached to Rozier that night. <\/p>\n
Rozier averaged 21.1 points and <\/a>5.1 assists a game that season. He scored just five points <\/a>that evening.<\/p>\n Rozier wore a gray suit and appeared relaxed at his appearance Wednesday before Magistrate Judge Lara K. Eshkenazi in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n He created a \u201cpredetermined bribe arrangement\u201d with other co-defendants, including Marves Fairley and De\u2019Niro Laster, to withdraw from the game so lucrative wagers could be placed, according to the superseding indictment.<\/p>\n Rozier is alleged to have played better than anticipated and collected four rebounds during the game, causing his bribe to drop to $70,000, prosecutors said. <\/p>\n Federal prosecutors also say in the superseding indictment that Rozier deprived the NBA and the Hornets \u201cof the intangible right of the honest and faithful services of Rozier through bribery and kickbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n After the hearing, Rozier\u2019s attorney, Jim Trusty, spoke about his request for the court to modify Rozier\u2019s release conditions<\/a> by lifting a no-contact restriction involving members of the Hornets. <\/p>\n Trusty has argued that leaving the condition in effect could jeopardize Rozier\u2019s ability to participate in the NBA as the free agency process begins this month. The Miami Heat waived Rozier in April. <\/p>\n \u201cThe NBA literally has flagrantly fouled the presumption of innocence,\u201d Trusty said. \u201cThey should be ashamed of themselves.\u201d <\/p>\n Trusty said Rozier \u201cstands strong when they change different theories to come up with new charges but don\u2019t have new facts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s strong now. He\u2019ll be strong when his day of exoneration comes,\u201d Trusty told reporters outside the courthouse. <\/p>\n Co-defendant Laster wore a white button-down shirt and looked straight ahead during most of his appearance. He also pleaded not guilty to the bribery-related charges Wednesday. <\/p>\n Another co-defendant, Shane Hennen, pleaded not guilty in a courtroom appearance later Wednesday.<\/p>\n![\"Terry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/251023-terry-rozier-charlotte-hornets-mn-1120-ae9fe1.jpg\")
Terry Rozier with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023.Kate Frese \/ NBAE via Getty Images file<\/p>\n![\"De'niro](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/260610-gambling-de-niro-laster-mn-0745-041a7f.jpg\")
De’niro Laster and his lawyer arrive for his arraignment at Brooklyn federal court Monday.Charly Triballeau \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
![\"Portland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/251107-chauncey-billups-mn-0930-20469d.jpg\")
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups on Oct. 8.John Hefti \/ Imagn Images file<\/p>\n