Federal indictments reveal details behind arrests of Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones

The federal indictments released Thursday outline a detailed web of insider betting allegations involving Heat guard Terry Rozier, Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and others.

According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, Rozier is accused of telling co-defendant Deniro Laster that he would remove himself early in a March 23, 2023 game while playing for the Hornets.

The Department of Justice alleges that Laster received $100,000 for passing that tip to another defendant, Marves Fairley, who then spread the information further. Prosecutors say $259,000 in wagers were placed on Rozier “under” prop bets, with winnings later delivered to Rozier’s home, per The Athletic’s Ralph D. Russo.

The indictment also references another incident involving the Trail Blazers. Vorkunov reports that a co-conspirator told defendant Eric Earnest that Portland was preparing to rest a key player ahead of a March 24, 2023 game.

Damian Lillard sat out that contest with a calf injury and was shut down for the season soon after. The filing does not allege that Lillard himself was involved in sharing the information.

Former player and coach Damon Jones is accused of providing inside information before the Lakers’ February 9, 2023 game against Milwaukee.

As The Athletic’s Mike Prada wrote, Jones allegedly tipped off a bettor that a specific Laker would miss the game. LeBron James was later ruled out with ankle soreness.

Jones was not employed by the Lakers but had access to team facilities while working with James, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.

The Department of Justice also cited bets placed before an April 6, 2023 Magic game after a defendant learned Orlando would rest its starters.

As for Billups, U.S. attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. described him as one of the celebrity “face cards” used to lure victims into rigged, mafia-backed poker games. Those games allegedly used marked cards, X-ray tables, and special glasses to identify hidden hands.

Prosecutors said Billups and other “face cards” received a share of the proceeds for their participation.

Rozier and Billups were both arrested Thursday morning and have been placed on immediate leave from their teams, the NBA confirmed in a statement. The league said it “takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness” and continues to cooperate with federal authorities.

A total of 34 people were arrested as part of the multi-year investigation, which includes separate but related probes into illegal betting and poker operations. Jones was charged in both.

Rozier and Billups face counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Each is expected to appear in federal court Thursday, Rozier in Florida and Billups in Oregon.