NBA veteran Terry Rozier has asked a federal judge to dismiss two of the four charges against him, with defense attorneys arguing that newly surfaced text message evidence proves he had no knowledge of or involvement in a sports gambling scheme, according to court documents filed Friday.
Motion to Dismiss Counts 3 and 4 in Federal Court
Attorneys David Markus and Anita Margot Moss filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York asking a judge to throw out counts 3 and 4, which allege sports bribery and honest services fraud. Rozier was originally arrested and charged in October as part of a federal investigation into insider wagering on NBA statistics. Prosecutors filed a superseding indictment in May adding the two new counts.
According to court records, Rozier’s legal team contends that federal prosecutors misapplied sports bribery laws. Lawyers argued in the filing that the statute applies to the final outcome or score of a game rather than individual player performance. Rozier previously asked the judge in December to dismiss the first two counts he faces, though a ruling on that request remains pending. Defense counsel also requested that the entire case be transferred to the Southern District of Florida.
Text Message Evidence Cited by Defense
For the first time, defense attorneys pointed to specific communications as proof of innocence. The filing highlights a text message sent on March 29, 2023, by co-defendant and friend Deniro Laster. Prosecutors allege Laster sent the message while picking up payment from a gambler who profited from inside information regarding a March 23, 2023, game played while Rozier was with the Charlotte Hornets.
“Dont tell chum bout the bet,” Laster wrote in the message, utilizing a nickname for Rozier, according to the legal filing. Defense lawyers wrote that the message should end the case, arguing that individuals do not hide a wager from someone who allegedly participated in selling insider information.
Did you know? Terry Rozier played 9:34 in the March 23, 2023, game cited by federal prosecutors. According to the indictment, he did not reach his season averages in points, assists, or three-pointers, but he did surpass the over/under line in rebounds.
Broader NBA Betting Investigation and Upcoming Trial
The federal probe has expanded beyond Rozier. The original case implicated 11-year NBA veteran Damon Jones. Last month, federal prosecutors in the Eastern District charged two additional NBA veterans, Malik Beasley and Ed Davis, alongside three other individuals, alleging a parallel scheme to manipulate Beasley’s on-court performance for gambling profits.
Of the six defendants originally charged alongside Rozier, three have entered guilty pleas, including Marves Fairley, who admitted in May that he agreed to pay Rozier to alter his game performance. Shane Hennen, identified as a gambler in the case, pleaded guilty this week in a separate, related matter concerning a rigged poker scheme that also involved former Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and 29 others.
Rozier, Jones, and Hennen are currently scheduled to stand trial on Feb. 8. Rozier has maintained a not-guilty plea, with his attorneys asserting in the court filing that he is a basketball player who never placed a bet, never agreed to underperform, and remained entirely unaware that outside parties were wagering on his statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific charges is Terry Rozier facing?
Rozier faces four federal charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, including wire fraud and sports bribery. His lawyers have filed motions to dismiss counts.
When is the scheduled trial date?
The trial for Terry Rozier, Damon Jones, and Shane Hennen is set for Feb. 8.
What did the defense cite as proof of innocence?
Rozier’s attorneys highlighted a March 29, 2023, text message from co-defendant Deniro Laster telling an associate not to inform Rozier about a bet placed on his statistics.
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