Terry Rozier Seeks Dismissal of Federal Sports-Betting Charges
terry-rozier-seeks-dismissal-of-sports-betting-charges
Brooklyn, N.Y., Dec. 23, 2025 — Attorneys for NBA guard Terry Rozier have asked a federal judge to throw out wire-fraud and related charges tied to an alleged sports-betting scheme, arguing that prosecutors failed to specify any criminal act.
In a motion unsealed Tuesday, defense lawyer Jim Trusty of Ifrah Law said the indictment “does not clearly state Mr. Rozier’s offense” and instead seeks to impose the government’s “view of integrity in sports wagering.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has until Feb. 2 to respond.
Rozier, arrested Oct. 23, faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He pleaded not guilty at his Dec. 9 arraignment in Brooklyn federal court. If the wire-fraud charge is dismissed, the money-laundering count would automatically fall for lack of a predicate offense, the filing notes.
Alleged Scheme Involving March 2023 Game
Prosecutors contend Rozier told co-defendant Deniro Laster he would exit a March 23, 2023 matchup in the first quarter because of an injury, allowing Laster to profit from advance knowledge. Then with the Charlotte Hornets, Rozier was not listed on the pre-game injury report and left the contest against the New Orleans Pelicans after a little more than nine minutes of play.
The indictment says Laster sold the information to bettors for roughly $100,000. Those bettors allegedly wagered more than $200,000 on unders tied to Rozier’s statistics. Investigators claim Laster visited Rozier’s Charlotte home a week later and “counted the money” from the scheme.
Trusty’s filing states the government never alleges Rozier placed any wager, used a proxy, or knew Laster planned to resell the information in violation of sportsbook rules.
Fee Conflict Issue
Last week prosecutors asked the court to appoint separate counsel for Laster after learning Rozier was paying his legal bills. The government warned that attorney Evan Corcoran could be pressured to favor Rozier’s interests. Laster filed an affidavit acknowledging the potential conflict and waiving it.
Legal Standard Cited
The defense motion relies on a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision tightening wire-fraud requirements. Former Eastern District assistant U.S. attorney Paul Tuchmann told ESPN that prosecutors must show the scheme aimed to deprive a victim of money or property. In this case, he said, the alleged victims are sportsbooks that paid out winning bets placed with inside information.
Source: ESPN
