Lawyers for Miami Heat basketballer Terry Rozier have asked a judge to drop the charges relating to their client’s alleged involvement in an illegal sports betting operation.
Basketball
Rozier was indicted in a US federal investigation in October accused of exploiting private information about players to win bets on NBA games and prevent sportsbooks from being informed about certain betting markets.
On December 8, he pleaded not guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges and is due back in court for a hearing presided over by US District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall in March.
As reported by the Associated Press, Rozier’s lawyers claimed that based on a Supreme Court ruling in 2023 in the United States v. Ciminelli case, prosecutors cannot pursue wire fraud charges based on allegations that defendants attempted to stop a person having a right to information needed to make economic decisions.
“This is not to say that sports betting platforms are without recourse when their terms of use are violated — they can void bets, pursue civil remedies or seek state prosecutor involvement,” Jim Trusty and the Ifrah law firm wrote.
“But Ciminelli puts to rest the notion that federal prosecutors are here to enforce contractual agreements between bettors and platforms.”
The government is set to respond to the motion by February 2, as reported by ESPN.
Rozier was playing for the Charlotte Hornets at the time of the allegations.
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