Feds Look To Be Expanding Scope Of NBA Betting Scandal
Federal authorities are expanding an investigation into NBA sports betting game manipulation revealed in October.
According to a report from The Athletic, Assistant US Attorney David Berman told a court last week that investigators are looking at additional games. Feds only looked into seven during the initial October probe.
Prosecutors have revealed an extensive operation that resulted in the arrest of Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier and NBA journeyman and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones. Authorities allege former Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter was also involved. Porter pleaded guilty to bet fixing in 2024. As a result, the league banned Porter for life.
Betting Scandal Linked To Poker Scheme
Federal investigators didn’t release any additional information on where the case is headed. Prosecutors allege Rozier, who played for the Charlotte Hornets at the time, told a friend that he would leave a March 2023 game early. Then, the friend sold the information to gamblers betting on prop bets tied to his statistics.
Jones was the only figure tied to the sports betting scheme and rigged high-stakes poker games. Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in the poker cheating scheme.
Rozier, Jones, and Billups have all pleaded not guilty.
Along with those three, NBA free agent Malik Beasley has also reportedly been the suspect of a sports betting investigation. Federal authorities have been probing alleged wire fraud and prop betting issues allegedly involving the former Detroit Pistons guard. However, Beasley hasn’t been arrested and no formal charges have been filed.
Last week, Timothy McCormack became the first person to plead guilty in the sports-rigging operation and received two years in federal prison. Prosecutors said McCormack defrauded sportsbooks by using non-public information to place large wagers. McCormack said his involvement in the operation was the result of a lifelong addiction to gambling.
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