Overview
- Rozier's lawyers filed a motion on Friday that asks a federal judge to dismiss the sports bribery and honest‑services wire fraud counts after citing a March 29, 2023 text from co-defendant Deniro Laster that says, “Dont tell chum bout the bet.”
- Federal prosecutors opposed the motion, saying they have evidence from multiple sources showing that the cited text chain does not relate to sports gambling and arguing the bribery allegations should remain in the case.
- The superseding indictment accuses Rozier of accepting a $100,000 payment to exit a March 23, 2023 Hornets–Pelicans game early so bettors could win prop bets, and he also faces wire‑fraud and money‑laundering conspiracy counts from the wider probe.
- Rozier was arrested in October 2025, has pleaded not guilty, and is scheduled to stand trial on February 8, 2027 while several co-defendants — including Marves Fairley — have already pleaded guilty and admitted paying to influence performance.
- The judge's upcoming pretrial rulings will shape which core counts proceed, decide a defense request to move venue to the Southern District of Florida, and affect Rozier's legal status and any chance to resume his playing career before trial.