**Title:** Terry Rozier Pleads Not Guilty in Gambling Scheme Case
**Meta Description:** Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleads not guilty to conspiracy charges related to an illegal gambling scheme involving high-stakes bets.
**URL Slug:** terry-rozier-gambling-scheme-not-guilty
**Headline:** Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier Enters Not Guilty Plea in Alleged Gambling Conspiracy
Terry Rozier, the Miami Heat guard, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering linked to an alleged illegal gambling operation. The 31-year-old point guard made his plea during an arraignment at a federal court in Brooklyn on Monday.
The charges against Rozier stem from a game in 2023 where he played less than 10 minutes due to a reported foot injury. Prior to the game, several individuals placed significant bets on Rozier’s underperformance, all of whom ended up winning.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, acknowledged shortly after the arrest that Rozier had informed a friend he would exit the game early, a statement Trusty emphasized is “not a crime.” He noted that Rozier was managing a “chronic injury,” although he was not listed on the Charlotte Hornets’ injury report before the game.
According to the indictment, Rozier allegedly communicated with a childhood friend, Deniro Laster, about his intention to leave the game early due to injury, allowing Laster to place bets based on this insider information. Neither the Hornets nor any betting companies were informed of Rozier’s plan. Laster reportedly shared this information with other co-conspirators, leading to wagers totaling approximately $200,000 on Rozier’s performance.
After Rozier played just nine minutes and did not return to the game, the bets were successful. The indictment claims that Rozier and Laster counted their winnings at Rozier’s residence in Charlotte about a week later.
In court, Rozier, dressed in a gray suit, only responded to the judge’s questions with “yes” or “no.” He refrained from making any comments afterward, but Trusty expressed that Rozier is eager to begin his defense against the allegations.
During a subsequent hearing involving five other defendants, Trusty indicated plans to file a motion to dismiss the case on constitutional grounds. He urged the judge for a swift timeline, citing Rozier’s involvement in “multiple layers of litigation,” including arbitration with the NBA. However, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall dismissed these concerns, stating that arbitration with the league was not her concern.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 3, as prosecutors prepare to provide a substantial amount of evidence to the defense, including an initial batch of 1,000 documents and over 55 gigabytes of data.
Rozier is among more than 30 individuals, including NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, implicated in FBI investigations into alleged illegal gambling linked to organized crime. Billups and Jones are accused of participating in rigged poker games.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What are the charges against Terry Rozier?**
A: Terry Rozier faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering related to an alleged illegal gambling scheme.
