FBI Says NBA Stars Played ‘Face Cards’ in La Cosa Nostra Organized Crime Family Gambling Ring
By Space Coast Daily // October 23, 2025
FBI: Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier Exploited NBA Ties in Criminal Gambling Network
NEW YORK — Federal authorities announced the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on Thursday as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal sports gambling and money laundering tied to organized crime.
The arrests were among 34 made across 11 states in two coordinated FBI operations — “Zhen Diagram” and “Nothing But Net” — targeting gambling networks allegedly linked to La Cosa Nostra crime families. Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones was also charged.
FBI Director Kash Patel said Billups, Rozier, and Jones face counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“Day in and day out, the FBI follows the money — and today’s operation shows the results of that relentless work,” Patel said during a news conference in New York. “These defendants exploited their positions in professional basketball to manipulate gambling systems for personal profit and to enrich organized criminal networks.”
The NBA placed both Billups and Rozier on immediate leave while reviewing the indictments.
“The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league said in a statement. “We are cooperating fully with federal authorities and take these allegations with the utmost seriousness.”
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella described a complex gambling operation involving rigged poker games, inside information, and money laundering through cryptocurrency.
Authorities say the suspects used cheating devices such as manipulated shufflers and X-ray tables during underground poker games designed to swindle victims. Billups and Jones allegedly participated as “face cards” — well-known former athletes used to lure victims, referred to as “fish,” into games they had no chance of winning.
According to investigators, confidential sources recorded more than 3,000 conversations and meetings tied to the probe, providing key evidence of the scheme’s inner workings.
The indictment also alleges that Rozier and others benefited from insider knowledge about player injuries and game absences, placing fraudulent prop bets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on NBA games.
Prosecutors claim Rozier faked an injury during a March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans to influence betting outcomes. The information was reportedly shared with co-defendant Deniro Laster, who used it to place illegal wagers.
“These defendants turned professional basketball into a platform for criminal enrichment,” Nocella said. “Their so-called winning streak has ended.”
Defense Pushback
Rozier’s attorney, James Trusty of Ifrah Law PLLC, criticized the FBI’s handling of the arrest, calling it “a photo op” meant to humiliate his client.
“Terry was cleared by the NBA, yet prosecutors revived a case with no basis in evidence,” Trusty said. “He is not a gambler and looks forward to clearing his name.”
A Scandal Reaching Across the League
The scandal comes as the NBA continues to recover from last year’s gambling controversy involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who received a lifetime ban after pleading guilty to similar offenses.
Billups, a former Finals MVP and three-time All-Star, has served as head coach of the Trail Blazers since 2021. Rozier joined the Miami Heat in 2024 after several seasons with Charlotte.
As of Thursday afternoon, both remained in federal custody pending court appearances in New York.
Officials said additional arrests and charges may follow as the investigation continues.
