NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Terry Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, claimed the government “got into bed with horrible people” in an effort to implicate the NBA player in allegations that he told a friend he would pull out of a game, so that friend could potentially place winning bets on his performance.
Rozier was arrested and faces wire fraud and money laundering charges, stemming from a game he played less than 10 minutes in, due to a foot injury. Several people placed high stakes bets on Rozier to perform poorly before the match, all of which won.
Trusty admitted that Rozier “told a friend” he would pull out of a match early, which is “not a crime,” adding that the allegations against his client are “thin.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) looks to pass against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Spectrum Center. (Nell Redmond/USA Today Sports)
In fact, it’s Rozier who’s “screwed,” Trusty said, because he “lost money” on his shoe endorsement deal by not playing enough matches. Rozier missed the final six games of the season with a foot injury.
“Terry Rozier had a $100 million contract and a big bond. This indictment actually suggests he faked the injury, which is absurd. People knew it — doctors knew it, staff knew it, friends knew it. This was a guy who was banged up after a long 82-game season. The Hornets were out of the playoffs, so he and others were telling the [Charlotte] Hornets coaching staff, it’s time to sit them down. It’s a waste,” Trusty added during his appearance on “The Will Cain Show.”
“It was a chronic injury, it was going to get worse if he played for no reason, so he withdrew.”
Rozier was not listed on the Hornets’ injury report before the game.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) watches the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, file)
HEAT CAPTAIN BAM ADEBAYO, COACH ERIK SPOELSTRA VOICES STRONG SUPPORT FOR TERRY ROZIER: “HE’S OUR BROTHER”
Trusty added that there is “a group of people that Terry doesn’t even know if he can pick them out of a queue.”
When asked if Rozier gave inside information for the purpose of illegal betting, Trusty said the answer was “absolutely no. That never happened.”
“I think the prosecution basically knows that, but they like the idea of having him as a trophy in this case to sort of mirror the Chauncey Billups case…,” Trusty said. “He’s an innocent guy who’s completely screwed in his career. He’s played 1,000 games, they’re holding on to one game where the NBA literally cleared him two years ago and trying to suggest that they know better and that he was a conspirator rather than someone who just injured his foot.”
Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier (3) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. (Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports)
“I fear the government has gotten into bed with horrible people to try to get their cooperation,” he added. “Violent people on the gambling side. They won’t have anything honest or straightforward about Terry. I fear they’re really making deals with the devil to try to force their way down, instead of going the opposite direction.”
Two defendants in the related poker case, Curtis Meeks and Angelo Ruggeiro Jr., were in Brooklyn court Tuesday, where Meeks was ordered to be placed on permanent detention, meaning the government can keep him behind bars indefinitely while the case progresses. Ruggiero Jr. will be placed on permanent detention, meaning he could be held indefinitely while the case progresses. Meeks has pleaded not guilty. Rozier is not charged in the case, which remains an ongoing investigation.
