Overview
- Federal authorities unsealed two related indictments after an 11‑state takedown, charging six in an insider NBA prop‑bet scheme and 31 in a nationwide rigged poker operation.
- Prosecutors allege Terry Rozier shared non‑public plans to exit a March 23, 2023 Hornets game early, enabling profitable “under” prop bets placed through straw bettors.
- Former player and assistant coach Damon Jones is charged in both cases, including allegedly leaking injury information such as LeBron James’ status and facilitating tips tied to multiple teams.
- The poker case describes high‑tech cheating with altered shufflers, hidden cameras and x‑ray tables, and names Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese families as beneficiaries of the scheme.
- The NBA placed Rozier and Billups on immediate leave and says it is cooperating; both deny wrongdoing, and initial court appearances have been scheduled in November and December as charges including wire fraud and money laundering move forward.