Terry Rozier Confronts $8 Million Tax Lien in NBA Gambling Scandal
The legal troubles for Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are intensifying as he reportedly faces an $8 million tax lien linked to an ongoing NBA gambling scandal. This revelation comes from records acquired by ESPN, which indicate that the IRS filed a federal income tax lien against Rozier amounting to $8,218,211 in November 2023.
Terry Rozier’s Tax Lien Details
The lien was filed in the same year Rozier, previously with the Charlotte Hornets, was alleged to have exited an NBA game to influence betting outcomes. Notably, the IRS typically has a 30-day window to release a lien once a debt is settled, but as of now, no release appears on record.
Previous Liens and Arrests
- A construction lien against Rozier was recorded in August 2022, with $250,000 paid off by July 2023.
- Rozier is implicated alongside 31 others in a rigged poker game linked to organized crime.
Federal authorities, including the FBI, recently arrested numerous individuals involved in this gambling network. The arrests included some notable figures: Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and former NBA player Damon Jones.
Allegations of Betting Influence
Prosecutors allege that Rozier engaged in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. They claim he strategically withdrew from a game on March 23, 2023, between the Hornets and Pelicans to manipulate prop bets. Reports suggest he confided plans to a friend, who profited around $100,000 from this insider information.
- Key arrests include:
- Ernest Aiello – Reputed mobster associated with the Bonanno family
- Matthew Daddino – Known as “The Wrestler”
- Numerous professional poker players and alleged mob figures
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella stated that these illegal betting operations involved non-public information regarding player participation. He mentioned that some individuals involved used intimidation against players like Jontay Porter to extract insider details about game participation.
The allegations surrounding Rozier not only involve the tax lien but also highlight significant issues within professional sports regarding gambling misconduct. As the investigations unfold, more details are expected to emerge, further impacting Rozier’s professional and personal life.
