NBA Scandal: Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier Arrested for Sports Fraud
Santo Domingo, RD. – An earthquake shakes the basketball world. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier have been arrested this Thursday in connection with federal investigations into illegal sports betting and fraudulent poker games. U.S. authorities reported that the arrests are part of a broad FBI operation that spanned 11 states and lasted more than a year. A total of 34 people were arrested, with tens of millions of dollars involved.According to the accusation, Rozier allegedly used insider information from the NBA to facilitate bets in favor of an organized crime network, receiving payments and percentages of profits in return. The player was arrested in a hotel in Orlando, Florida. Billups, for his part, faces charges for organizing and manipulating clandestine poker games in Oregon and New York. It is presumed that these activities were backed by mafia families. Authorities point to the use of advanced technology to defraud victims of millions of dollars in losses.FBI Director Kash Patel called the case one of the largest sports fraud schemes in the modern era of online betting.
Kash Patel, FBI Director
Among those arrested is Damon Jones, former player and former assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers, accused of providing insider information about NBA games to other individuals involved. Rozier’s case recalls the scandal that in 2024 led to the expulsion of Jontay Porter, former player of the Toronto Raptors, for manipulating his performance to benefit sports betting. The NBA, through its commissioner Adam Silver, has stated that it is collaborating with betting houses to strengthen controls and prevent manipulation in player betting markets. Both Billups and Rozier will have to appear before federal courts in Oregon and Florida, respectively, in the coming hours.One of the most blatant sports corruption schemes since the legalization of online betting in the United States.
Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
