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Terry Rozier Moves to Toss Federal Betting Case, Citing Supreme Court Limits on Wire Fraud

The Heat guard invokes the Supreme Court’s Ciminelli ruling to argue that depriving sportsbooks of nonpublic information is not wire fraud.

Overview

  • Rozier’s attorneys filed a motion dated Dec. 12 and made public Dec. 23 seeking to dismiss wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges as an overreach into state-regulated wagering.
  • Prosecutors say Rozier told friend Deniro Laster he would leave a March 23, 2023 Hornets game early, Laster sold the tip, and bettors placed more than $200,000 in prop wagers that paid out.
  • The defense notes the indictment does not allege Rozier ever placed bets, knew Laster would sell the information, or knew such use would violate sportsbooks’ rules.
  • Lawyers argue the money laundering conspiracy depends on wire fraud as a predicate and also lacks any allegation that Rozier agreed to launder proceeds.
  • The government’s response is due Feb. 2, pretrial proceedings continue in early March, and Rozier remains on a $3 million bond and on leave from the Heat after prosecutors flagged—then received a waiver for—a potential conflict over his payment of Laster’s legal fees.