Terry Rozier Faces April 27 Hearing as Heat Consider Waiving Him Before Thursday Deadline
Terry Rozier (right). Credit: Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons
Terry Rozier’s legal team want to quickly bring an end to the federal match-fixing case against him before it reaches a jury. A Brooklyn federal judge has set key upcoming court dates, starting with oral arguments on a motion to dismiss the charges on April 27.
The Miami Heat guard’s attorney, James Trusty, is adamant that the case doesn’t belong in federal court. He argued in a motion filed in December that even taking the government’s allegations at face value, they are akin to a violation of sportsbook rules or gaming regulations, as opposed to criminal fraud. Federal money laundering and wire fraud penalties carry up to 20 years in prison per count, which is significantly harsher than the consequences of a sportsbook rule breach.
The defense has also cited a recent Supreme Court precedent that limits the government’s ability to prosecute fraud cases built on the withholding of information, which sits at the core of what prosecutors allege. U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall granted the defense’s request for an oral hearing, showing that she considers the motion serious enough to warrant a full argument and not just a paper ruling.
The government believes it has established federal jurisdiction, arguing that the alleged conduct qualifies as a clearly coordinated scheme rather than a mere rule violation. The court has scheduled a status conference for May 15, during which both sides will provide updates on the outcome of the dismissal arguments, the status of ongoing discovery, and any potential plea decisions.
The Allegations Against Rozier
The allegations relate to an NBA game on March 23, 2023, when the 29-year-old was playing for the Charlotte Hornets. He exited the game against the New Orleans Pelicans after nine minutes due to a reported right foot injury. His stat line at that stage was five points scored, four rebounds, and two assists, which fell below the prop bet lines sportsbooks had set for him.
The indictment claims that Rozier told his childhood friend and co-defendant De’Niro Laster before the game about his intention to exit with an injury. Laster then allegedly shared this inside information with gambling associates for $100,000, which led to more than $200,000 being placed on the player’s underperformance. The government claims that Laster drove through the night to Rozier’s home to count the profits.
The NBA reviewed reports at the time of the suspicious betting activity and cleared Rozier. However, federal investigators continued looking into the matter as part of a wider case that led to the arrests of 34 people in October.
Authorities arrested Rozier at an Orlando hotel only hours after the opening game of the season for the Miami Heat. He secured his release by posting his Florida home as a $6 million bond.
Miami Heat’s Dilemma
While Rozier’s legal team attempts to secure a dismissal, the Miami Heat have their own pressing problem. They need to figure out what to do with his roster spot, as he has not been able to play since his arrest. The team has retained him on the roster, although they need to decide by 5 p.m. on Thursday whether to waive him and open a 15th spot heading into the postseason.
According to the Miami Herald, Rozier will likely get his walking papers. Despite not playing a single minute this season, Rozier still received his $26 million salary. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) won an appeal over the withholding of the money while he was on leave.
If Rozier gets a favorable ruling from Judge Hall at the April 27 dismissal hearing, the federal charges could be completely thrown out. This would vindicate his consistent not guilty plea and support his attorneys’ argument that the FBI revived a case the NBA has already closed. It remains unclear where Rozier’s next destination in the NBA would be if that happens. If the motion fails, the case will move toward trial. The upcoming weeks will reveal a lot about Rozier’s future in the sport.
Image credit: Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons (license)
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