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Terry Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, claimed the government “got into bed with some horrible people” in an effort to implicate the NBA player in allegations that he told a friend he was pulling out of a game so the friend could place winning bets on his performance.
Rozier was arrested and faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering, stemming from a game in which he played less than 10 minutes, citing a foot injury. Several people placed high-stakes bets on Rozier to perform poorly before the game, and they all won.
Trusty admitted that Rozier “told a friend” that he was retiring from the game early, which is “not a crime,” adding that the allegations against his client are “weak.”
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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, Rozier is the one who’s “screwed,” Trusty said, because he “lost money” on his shoe endorsement deal by not playing enough games. Rozier missed the final six games of the season with the foot injury.
“Terry Rozier had a $100 million contract and a huge shoe endorsement. This allegation 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 are out of the playoffs, from what he and others were telling the fans. [Charlotte] Hornets coaching staff, it’s time to sit you down. “It’s a waste,” Trusty added while appearing on “The Will Cain Show.”
“It was a chronic injury, it was going to get worse if he played for no reason, so he retired.”
Rozier did not appear on the Hornets’ pregame injury report.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
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Trusty added that there are “a group of people that Terry doesn’t even know if he can pick out of a lineup.”
When asked if Rozier gave away inside information for the purpose of illegal betting, Trusty said the answer was “absolutely not. It never happened.”
“I think the prosecution basically knows it, but they like the idea of having it as a trophy in this case to mirror the Chauncey Billups case…” Trusty said. “This is an innocent guy who is completely screwed in terms of his career. He’s played 1,000 games, they’re holding on to a game where the NBA literally cleared him two years ago and they’re trying to suggest that they somehow know better and that he was a conspirator instead of someone who just had an injured 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’m concerned that the government has gotten into bed with some horrible people to try to get their cooperation,” he added. “Violent people in the gaming industry. They’re not going to have anything honest or upfront about Terry. I’m concerned that they’re really making deals with the devil to try to work their way down, rather than in the opposite direction.”
Two defendants in the poker-related case, Curtis Meeks and Angelo Ruggeiro Jr., appeared in court in Brooklyn on Tuesday, where Meeks was ordered held in permanent detention, meaning the government can keep him behind bars indefinitely as the case proceeds. Ruggiero Jr. will remain in permanent detention, meaning he can remain detained indefinitely as the case progresses. Meeks pleaded not guilty. Rozier is not charged in the case, which remains an ongoing investigation.
