Six individuals, including current and former National Basketball Association (NBA) players, have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with an alleged scheme to use confidential NBA information for illegal sports betting. The indictment was unsealed at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn and names Eric Earnest, Marves Fairley, Shane Hennen, Damon Jones, Deniro Laster, and Terry Rozier as defendants.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr., announced the charges alongside officials from the FBI and NYPD. The defendants are accused of leveraging non-public information from NBA players and coaches to place fraudulent bets between December 2022 and March 2024.
“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,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “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 expressed gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office for their assistance.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the investigation: “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.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia added: “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."
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch stated: “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 the NYPD detectives and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this illegal sports betting operation has been benched for good.”
According to prosecutors, some examples outlined in court documents include:
- In March 2023 during a Charlotte Hornets game, Rozier allegedly told Laster he would leave early due to injury so wagers could be placed on his underperformance.
- In another incident involving Portland Trail Blazers in March 2023, Earnest received advance notice from an NBA coach about key players sitting out; this led Fairley’s group to bet over $100,000 before public disclosure.
- Fairley also reportedly profited from inside knowledge about Orlando Magic lineup changes in April 2023.
- Jones is accused of sharing pre-release medical details about Los Angeles Lakers’ star players so that conspirators could place significant wagers.
- Jontay Porter previously admitted informing co-conspirator Long Phi Pham about plans for early exits from Toronto Raptors games so bets could be placed accordingly; Porter has already pleaded guilty related to these actions.
The indictment states that these activities were concealed through networks of straw bettors who falsely claimed compliance with sportsbook rules prohibiting insider wagering.
If convicted on both counts—wire fraud conspiracy or money laundering conspiracy—each defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment per charge.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Weintraub, David Berman, Kaitlin Farrell with support from Paralegal Specialists Liam McNett & Timothy Migliaro.
All named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
