Attorneys representing Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have filed a formal motion to dismiss federal charges related to an alleged gambling conspiracy.
The motion, submitted to the U.S. District Court, argues that the government’s case is built on “weak evidence” and represents a significant prosecutorial overreach.
The Indictment
Rozier was indicted in October on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that in March 2023, while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, Rozier conspired to fix the outcome of a game by intentionally sharing non-public information about an injury to his friend and co-defendant, De’Niro Laster. Laster is accused of using this information to place bets on Rozier “under” prop bets.
Arguments for Dismissal
In the new filing, Rozier’s defense team contends that the indictment fails to meet the legal standard for wire fraud. Citing the Supreme Court’s unanimous 2023 ruling in Ciminelli v. United States, the defense argues that the prosecution is using an overly broad definition of fraud to criminalize conduct that does not involve the deprivation of traditional property interests.
“Headline-Worthy” but Flawed
The motion asserts that despite the “splashy claims” of insider betting, the indictment cites only a single instance of alleged misconduct. “The indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that the government has stretched federal statutes to police NBA conduct,” the filing states. Rozier has pleaded not guilty and remains on leave from the Heat as the legal process unfolds.
