Terry Rozier’s arrest in connection with an ongoing federal sports betting investigation has sparked controversy, not just for the charges, but for how the arrest was handled. On Thursday, Rozier’s attorney issued a blistering statement accusing the FBI of staging a “photo-op” and vowed to fight the allegations in court.
James Trusty, Rozier’s legal counsel and a former federal prosecutor, didn’t mince words:
“It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self-surrender, they opted for a photo op. They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk.”
Trusty emphasized that Rozier had previously been cleared by the NBA after a preliminary review of betting irregularities and insisted his client was never a central figure in the probe.
“Terry Rozier is not a gambler. He is a professional athlete who has worked his entire life to reach the highest level of his sport. We will fight these charges and we will win.”
Rozier was arrested as part of “Operation Royal Flush,” a federal investigation into illegal sports betting and poker schemes allegedly tied to organized crime. Prosecutors claim Rozier and others used insider information to place bets on NBA games, including contests in which Rozier played.
Suspicion reportedly began in early 2023 when betting watchdogs flagged unusual wagers on a Hornets game where Rozier exited early due to injury. Investigators allege this pattern repeated across multiple games, prompting deeper scrutiny.
Rozier has not yet entered a plea. His legal team is preparing to challenge the credibility of the government’s evidence and witnesses. Meanwhile, the NBA has launched its own internal review, and the Heat have placed Rozier on administrative leave pending further developments.
