In a scene straight out of GoodFellas, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were among 30 people arrested Thursday morning in an FBI sting targeting a multistate illegal gambling ring with alleged mafia ties.
FBI Director Kash Patel detailed the sweeping bust at a New York press conference, describing it as “tens of millions of dollars in fraud, theft, and robbery” involving organized crime families.
“We’re talking about wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery, and illegal gambling,” Patel said. “The FBI will leave no room for any perpetrator of crime across this country.”
The coordinated operation spanned 11 states and took down associates linked to the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese crime families.
NBA Stars Entangled
Rozier was arrested in Orlando and faces charges related to an illegal gambling ring accused of exploiting inside NBA information to place unlawful wagers. Sources told ABC News the group placed more than $200,000 in “under” prop bets on a Hornets game in 2023, allegedly after Rozier faked an injury to exit early.
Billups, meanwhile, was arrested in Oregon in connection with a mafia-backed poker operation that used wireless cheating technology in high-stakes underground games across Manhattan, Miami, and Las Vegas. The FBI said Billups did not wager on NBA games but was used to lure players into rigged poker matches. One victim reportedly lost $1.8 million.
Wider Fallout
The scandal follows last year’s lifetime ban of Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty to betting-related conspiracy charges. His sentencing is scheduled for December.
Sports analyst Jim Gray warned that the case could deal a serious blow to fan trust:
“If the public believes games can be fixed, the entire foundation of professional sports collapses,” Gray told Fox News. “This is extremely dangerous.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has yet to comment publicly, but insiders say the league is “deeply alarmed.”
Former player Damon Jones was also arrested, while Malik Beasley, previously linked to the FBI probe, was not detained and remains under review.
Rozier, in the final year of a $96.3 million contract, is expected to appear in court later today.
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