Terry Rozier’s defense team says a text message produced by federal prosecutors undermines the central accusation that the veteran NBA guard knowingly participated in an illegal sports-betting scheme.
Rozier’s attorneys filed a motion asking a federal judge to dismiss two of the four charges against him: sports bribery and conspiracy to commit honest-services wire fraud. The defense argues that a March 29, 2023, exchange involving co-defendant Deniro Laster shows that Rozier was deliberately kept unaware of a bet connected to him.
According to the filing, Laster wrote to another person, “Dont tell chum bout the bet.” The recipient allegedly responded, “Hell no.” Rozier’s lawyers say “Chum” is one of his nicknames and contend that the exchange makes no sense if he had knowingly provided information for the gambling operation.
“This should end the case,” attorney David Markus argued in the motion, reasoning that a person involved in arranging a bet would not need to be shielded from learning about it. The defense says the message came from evidence disclosed by the government itself.
Rozier has pleaded not guilty and maintains that he never placed a bet, intentionally underperformed or knew that anyone was wagering on his statistics during Charlotte’s March 23, 2023, game against New Orleans. He played only nine minutes before leaving with what was reported as a foot injury.
Federal prosecutors allege that Rozier informed Laster in advance that he planned to leave the game early, allowing others to place large wagers on his statistical unders. The indictment further claims Rozier expected to receive $100,000 and later counted betting proceeds with Laster at his Charlotte home. Those allegations have not been proven at trial.
Prosecutors reject the defense’s interpretation of the newly highlighted text. In their response, they said investigators had developed evidence from multiple sources indicating that the exchange did not concern sports gambling. They have asked the judge to deny Rozier’s dismissal request.
That disagreement is crucial. The message may appear favorable to Rozier when read by itself, but the court must consider whether it actually refers to the alleged March 2023 betting operation and whether disputed evidence can justify dismissing charges before trial.
Rozier’s lawyers have also challenged the legal basis and venue for the two counts, arguing that the sports-bribery statute does not cover wagers involving one player’s individual statistics and that the alleged conduct did not occur in the Eastern District of New York.
The text does not formally clear Rozier, and a judge has not yet ruled on the motion. It does, however, give his defense a direct piece of evidence supporting its claim that gamblers acted without his knowledge.
