Copyright New York Post
Another layer to Heat guard Terry Rozier’s alleged role in the NBA sports betting scheme is coming to light after ESPN found records that showed he was facing an $8 million tax lien from the IRS. According to Broward County, Florida, clerk records obtained by the Worldwide Leader in Sports, the IRS filed a federal income tax lien of $8,218,211 on Rozier in November 2023. The lien was filed the same year Rozier — who was then playing for the Hornets — is alleged to have pulled himself from an NBA game as part of the illegal sports betting scheme. There was no lien release on record, according to ESPN. The IRS has 30 days after a debt payment has been made to file a lien release. Records in Broward County showed a construction lien filed against Rozier in August 2022, for which $250,000 of the $271,000 lien was paid off by July 2023. Federal prosecutors allege that Rozier pulled himself from a March 23, 2023, game between the Hornets and Pelicans in a premeditated move to impact prop bets. He allegedly told a friend of his plans, who then sold the information for close to $100,000. The Heat player is facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. “The non-public information included when specific players would be sitting out future games, or when they would pull themselves out early for purported injuries or illnesses,” U.S. attorney Joseph Nocella said after the sprawling busts that led to 31 arrests in two separate alleged schemes. “They relied on corrupt individuals, including [ex-NBA player Damon Jones] and Rozier. They also misused information through longstanding friendships they had with NBA players and coaches. “And in at least one instance, they got their information by threatening a current player, [Jontay] Porter, because of his pre-existing gambling debts.”
