Federal prosecutors revealed plans Monday to file new charges, including bribery, against NBA guard Terry Rozier in connection with an ongoing sports gambling probe. The announcement came during a hearing where Rozier's defense team was contesting existing charges. Prosecutors informed Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, of the potential superseding charges just two hours before the court session.
Rozier currently faces wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges stemming from an October indictment. He has maintained a plea of not guilty to these initial accusations. The new allegations suggest evidence indicates Rozier solicited and accepted a bribe, linked to a scheme where information was allegedly sold to bettors. This information, according to court documents, allowed individuals to wager successfully on specific game statistics, particularly bets placed on Rozier's performance falling below projected totals.
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The potential for expanded charges was first reported by The Athletic and subsequently confirmed by ESPN through sources close to the proceedings. Rozier is expected back in court on June 10 for a status hearing on the evolving case.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The announcement of new charges follows an attempt by Rozier's legal team to have the current case dismissed. His lawyers have argued that the government's application of federal wire fraud statutes is improper, asserting that the allegations do not constitute federal crimes. The defense contends that the government's theory could criminalize ordinary instances of betting misconduct and broaden the scope of federal prosecution for violations of sports betting rules. A ruling on this motion is still pending.
Background of the Case
Terry Rozier was initially arrested and indicted in October on federal wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. These accusations are part of a broader investigation into a nationwide sports betting scheme. Rozier pleaded not guilty to these original charges. The Miami Heat waived Rozier on April 10, following his arrest by federal authorities. His legal team's motion to dismiss argued that the alleged sharing of non-public game information for gambling purposes should not be considered a federal crime. The judge has yet to rule on this motion, which could significantly impact the direction of the case.
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