Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have charged six individuals, including current and former National Basketball Association (NBA) players, with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The indictment alleges that the defendants used confidential information from NBA players and coaches to place illegal sports bets and launder the resulting profits.
The defendants named in the indictment are Eric Earnest (“Spook”), Marves Fairley (“Vez,” “Vezino,” “Vezino Locks”), Shane Hennen (“Sugar”), Damon Jones (“D Jones,” “Dee Jones”), Deniro Laster (“Niro,” “Payso,” “Peso”), and Terry Rozier (“Scary Terry,” “Chum”). They will be arraigned at a future date in the Eastern District of New York.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York announced the charges along with officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Nocella stated, “As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks. This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit. Insider betting schemes erode the integrity of American sports, and this Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means.”
Nocella also thanked law enforcement partners for their assistance: “Mr. Nocella thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office for their invaluable assistance in the investigation.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on today’s arrests: “Today the FBI arrested six people, including current and former NBA players, for their alleged role in illegal sports betting and money laundering conspiracy – the result of a sweeping investigation conducted by outstanding FBI professionals and partners. Using private information and positions of power to rig sports gambling outcomes is not only illegal, but destroys the integrity of the game and will never be tolerated. We will continue following the money to ensure gambling operations of all kinds stay within the law and bring to justice those who take advantage of innocent victims.”
Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge at FBI New York Field Office said: “Former and current NBA players and coaches, including Terry Rozier, Damon Jones and additional co-conspirators, allegedly informed the defendants and others of confidential information relating to upcoming NBA games and player performances, such as pre-release medical information and a player’s intention to alter their upcoming game performance, which favored certain bettors within their inner social circle. This alleged collusion resulted in the defendants secretly pocketing their lavish winnings and corrupting NBA games. The FBI will never turn a blind eye to any insider betting scheme within sporting industries – regardless of title or professional affiliation – to protect its integrity and afford all participants a fair chance to win big.”
Jessica S. Tisch, NYPD Commissioner added: “Rigging a professional basketball game for personal profit is as immoral as it is illegal. This investigation exposed a gambling ring built around the NBA, where players and associates allegedly used inside information and even faked injuries to fraudulently manipulate bets on games. The fact that some players altered their performance or took themselves out of games to ensure these bets paid out is an offense to every player and fan. Thanks to the incredible work of NYPD detectives and our partners at the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, this illegal sports betting operation has been benched for good.”
According to court documents covering December 2022 through March 2024, conspirators obtained non-public details about upcoming NBA games—including pre-release medical updates or planned lineup changes—and used this knowledge to make fraudulent wagers via online sportsbooks or retail outlets while hiding that they were acting on privileged team data.
Specific incidents described include:
– In March 2023 during a Charlotte Hornets game, Rozier reportedly told Laster he would leave early due to injury so bets could be placed predicting his underperformance; over $200,000 was wagered.
– In another case that month involving Portland Trail Blazers versus Chicago Bulls, Fairley bet more than $100,000 after receiving word—before public release—that several Blazers’ starters would miss play.
– An April 2023 Orlando Magic game saw Fairley act on insider knowledge about lineup absences.
– Former player/coach Damon Jones is accused of sharing sensitive Lakers roster news ahead of two separate games so co-conspirators could profit.
– Jontay Porter (Toronto Raptors) previously pleaded guilty after admitting he tipped off others about plans to exit two games early; those tips led Hennen among others to bet accordingly.
All charges remain allegations unless proven otherwise; if convicted each defendant faces up to 20 years per count.
The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Weintraub, David Berman, Kaitlin Farrell with support from paralegal staff.
Defendants are from Missouri (Earnest), Mississippi (Fairley), Nevada (Hennen), California (Jones), Ohio (Laster), Florida (Rozier).
