Federal prosecutors have expanded their case against former NBA player Terry Rozier, filing new charges that accuse him of accepting a bribe as part of an alleged sports betting scheme tied to his performance during a Charlotte Hornets game in 2023.

A superseding indictment filed in federal court in Brooklyn adds counts of bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy to the existing allegations. Prosecutors claim Rozier participated in a plan that allowed bettors with advance information to profit from wagers placed on his individual game statistics.

The latest court filing names both the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets as victims of the alleged conspiracy. Rozier has denied wrongdoing, and his legal team continues to challenge the government’s case.

As ESPN reports, Attorney Jim Trusty criticized the expanded indictment, stating: “The superseding indictment just confirms that our motion to dismiss was righteous — new charges, new theories, but all just a sad effort to make something stick.”

Alleged Scheme Centered on Hornets-Pelicans Matchup

According to federal prosecutors, the alleged misconduct relates to a March 23, 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. At the time, Rozier was playing for Charlotte.

The indictment alleges that Rozier agreed to accept a bribe worth approximately $100,000 in exchange for limiting his participation in the game. Prosecutors claim he intended to use a leg injury suffered late in the 2022-23 season as justification for exiting the contest early.

Court documents state that Rozier informed co-defendant Deniro Laster in advance that he planned to remove himself from the game due to injury. Prosecutors allege Laster then shared the information with multiple bettors, who placed more than $258,700 in wagers on Rozier finishing below various statistical projections.

Rozier played slightly more than nine minutes before leaving the game. Prosecutors say his final stat line resulted in most of the wagers winning. The government further alleges that the original bribe amount was later reduced to $70,000 because one statistical category did not perform as expected, causing some bets to lose.

The superseding indictment charges Rozier, Deniro Laster, Eric Earnest and Shane Hennen with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy.

Guilty Plea Adds New Claims

The case gained further attention when defendant Marves Fairley entered a guilty plea in federal court on Thursday.

During the hearing, Fairley admitted involvement in illegal sports betting activities and made statements regarding payments to a professional basketball player.

“I agreed to pay a player to change their game performance,” Fairley said.

A prosecutor later identified Rozier as the player Fairley referenced during the proceeding.

Fairley’s guilty plea covered seven felony counts across two federal cases connected to sports betting activity. Prosecutors have alleged that he participated in schemes involving NBA wagering, college basketball point-shaving operations and betting activity linked to the Chinese Basketball Association.

Rozier’s attorney strongly rejected the claims made during the hearing.

“There are some desperate men in this case with terrible criminal records and tons of exposure, and they know what to say to please these prosecutors,” Trusty said.

Fairley is the second defendant in the wider investigation to plead guilty. Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones previously admitted guilt on conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges in a related case.

Wider Investigation Continues

The broader federal investigation extends beyond Rozier and includes allegations involving insider information about NBA player availability, injury reports and prop betting markets.

Prosecutors have linked the investigation to activities involving several current and former basketball figures, including former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. Court filings also reference information allegedly connected to Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic games.

Damon Jones, while not listed among the defendants in the superseding indictment, is repeatedly mentioned in court filings. Prosecutors previously alleged that Jones sold confidential information involving NBA players and games to individuals connected to betting operations.

Rozier originally faced federal wire fraud-related charges after being indicted in October. Prosecutors had previously indicated additional charges would be forthcoming, and the new indictment fulfills that expectation.

The former Miami Heat guard has not appeared in an NBA game since May 2025. He was waived by the Heat in April.