Terry Rozier Seeks to Clear Name in Betting Scandal: Lawyers Argue Federal Charges Unjustified

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Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is fighting to clear his name in a high-profile betting scandal. In a motion to dismiss the charges, his lawyers argue that the government has overstepped by turning a private dispute over non-public information into a federal case. The case centers around allegations that Rozier tipped off a friend, Deniro "Niro" Laster, about his early exit from a March 2023 game due to a supposed injury. Laster then shared or sold the information to others, who placed over $250,000 in prop bets. However, Rozier's lawyers claim that the government's theory of the case is flawed, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the federal wire fraud statute. According to the motion, the government has mischaracterized the case as 'insider betting' and 'rigging' professional basketball games. However, the indictment alleges that some bettors broke sportsbooks' terms of use against wagering based on non-public information and 'straw betting.' Rozier, who earned about $160 million over a 10-year NBA career, has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges. He was released on $3 million bond and is due back in court for a hearing on March 3. The charges have raised questions about the integrity of NBA games in an era of legalized betting and myriad prop bets. The league has since tweaked its injury reporting requirements in response. Rozier's lawyers argue that under the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in United States v. Ciminelli, prosecutors cannot make a wire fraud case out of allegations that defendants conspired to deprive a person or entity of the right to information needed to make discretionary economic decisions. They also question whether federal prosecutors have the authority to bring such a case, since sportsbooks are regulated at the state level. The motion notes that Rozier really was injured during the game and that the indictment does not allege that he ever placed a bet on any NBA game. His lawyers are seeking to have the charges dismissed, citing the lack of evidence and the unjustified federal intervention in a private dispute.