Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty Monday to federal wire fraud and money‑laundering conspiracy charges tied to a betting scheme that involved his on‑court performance.
Arraignment and Bond
Rozier entered the plea during his arraignment in federal court in Brooklyn. He was released on a $3 million bond secured by his Florida home.
Court Conditions and Restrictions
Magistrate Judge Clay Kaminsky ordered Rozier not to gamble, possess firearms, or contact victims, co‑defendants, and witnesses. He surrendered his passport and was limited to travel between Florida, Ohio, and New York unless prior approval is granted.
Legal Strategy and Upcoming Hearings
Rozier’s lawyer Jim Trusty said the client is “excited” to begin mounting his defense. Trusty plans to file a motion to dismiss on constitutional grounds and urged the judge for a speedy timeline, citing multiple layers of litigation including NBA arbitration. Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall dismissed those concerns, stating arbitration with the league was irrelevant. The next hearing is set for March 3, after prosecutors will hand over an initial set of 1,000 documents and over 55 gigabytes of data.
Broader Investigation and Related Cases
More than 30 people have been arrested in the federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports, including several Mafia figures. Portland Trail Blazers coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups has pleaded not guilty in a separate scheme to fix high‑stakes, Mafia‑backed illegal poker games. Damon Jones, a former NBA player and unofficial Lakers assistant coach, also pleaded not guilty last month to charges of providing nonpublic injury information to bettors. Both Billups and Rozier are on unpaid leave from their teams during the proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Rozier pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money‑laundering conspiracy charges tied to a betting scheme.
- He was released on a $3 million bond and faces strict court restrictions.
- The case is part of a larger federal crackdown on illegal sports gambling involving dozens of arrests.
As the federal case moves forward, the Heat guard’s legal team prepares to challenge the charges while the broader investigation continues to uncover connections between professional athletes and illegal betting operations.
