Overview
- Rozier filed a motion Friday asking a federal judge to dismiss the sports bribery and honest‑services wire fraud counts after disclosing a March 29, 2023 text from co‑defendant Deniro Laster that said, "Dont tell chum bout the bet," which his lawyers say proves he did not know about wagers.
- Federal prosecutors responded by asking the court to deny the request and wrote that investigators have evidence from multiple sources showing the cited text chain does not relate to sports gambling.
- Rozier is charged in four federal counts that include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and prosecutors allege he accepted a $100,000 bribe to remove himself from a March 23, 2023 Hornets game so bettors could win prop wagers.
- The defense also asked the court to move the case to the Southern District of Florida and the judge has not ruled on that request or the dismissal motion, leaving pretrial litigation ongoing before the February 8, 2027 trial date.
- The case is part of a wider DOJ investigation that has produced more than 30 arrests, multiple guilty pleas from co‑defendants, and career and criminal exposure for Rozier if the charges are upheld.