Another layer to Heat guard Terry Rozier’s alleged role in the NBA sports betting scheme is coming to light after ESPN uncovered records showing he faced an $8 million tax lien from the IRS.
According to Broward County, Florida, administrative records obtained by the Worldwide Leader in Sportsthe IRS filed an $8,218,211 federal income tax lien against Rozier in November 2023.
The lien was filed the same year that Rozier – then playing for the Hornets – allegedly withdrew himself from an NBA game as part of the illegal sports betting scheme.
According to ESPN, there was no lien. The IRS has 30 days after a debt payment is made to file a lien release.
Broward County records showed a construction lien against Rozier was filed in August 2022, with $250,000 of the $271,000 lien paid off in July 2023.
The FBI has arrested 31 people involved in a rigged poker gaming ring backed by New York City’s organized crime families.
- Ernest Aiello – reputed Bonanno gangster
- Nelson “Spanish G” Alvarez
- Louis “Lou Ap” Apicella
- Ammar “Flapper Poker” Awawdeh
- Saul Becher – professional poker player
- Chauncey Billups – Portland Trail Blazers coach, NBA Hall of Famer and 2004 NBA Champion
- Matthew “The Wrestler” Daddino
- Eric ‘Spooky’ Serious
- Lee Fama – professional poker player
- Johannes Gallo
- Marco Garzon
- Thomas “Tommy Juice” Gelardo – reputed Lucchese gangster charged in 2013 for beating a porn star girlfriend
- Jamie Gilet
- Tony ‘Black Tony’ Goodson
- Kenny Han
- Shane “Sugar” Hair
- Osman “Albanian Bruce” Hoti
- Horatio Hu
- Zhen “Scruli” Hu
- Damon “Dee Jones” Jones – NBA player from 1998 to 2009
- Joseph Lanni
- John “John South” Mazzola
- Curtis Meeks
- Nicholas Minucci
- Michael Renzulli
- Anthony Ruggero Jr.
- Anthony “Doc” Shnayderman
- Robert ‘Black Rob’ Stroud
- Seth Trustman
- Sophia “Pookie” Wei
- Julius Ziliani
Federal prosecutors allege Rozier withdrew himself from a game between the Hornets and Pelicans on March 23, 2023, in a premeditated action to influence prop bets. He allegedly told a friend about his plans, who then sold the information for almost $100,000.
The Heat player is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“The non-public information included when specific players would sit out future games, or when they would withdraw themselves early due to alleged injuries or illnesses,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said after the sweeping 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 long-standing friendships they had with NBA players and coaches.
“And in at least one case, they got their information by threatening a current player, [Jontay] Porter, due to his pre-existing gambling debts.
Rozier was arrested along with Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Jones, a former player and assistant coach. Billups is accused of being a “face card” in an alleged mafia-linked poker scheme. Jones was mentioned in both the sports betting and poker cases.
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