FBI Director Kash Patel called the case “historic,” both for the volume of money involved and the sophistication of the scheme.
Mexico City, October 23 (However).- The shadow of the Italian mafia spreads again New York and, this time, also on the National Basketball Association (NBAfor its acronym in English). Federal and local authorities arrested more than 30 people this Thursday — among them the player of the Miami Heat, Terry Rozierand the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups— for his alleged participation in a scheme illegal sports betting y game manipulation which would have generated dozens of million dollars.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office of the Eastern District of New Yorkthe investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), uncovered a red operated by members of the mythical five families gangsters of the city, the Genovese, Gambino, Bonanno, Lucchese y Colombohistorically known for controlling organized crime activities in the city since the 1930s.
The spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office, John Marzulli, confirmed that 31 people were arrested and that others would surrender in the coming days. FBI Director Kash Patel called the case “historic,” both for the volume of money involved and the sophistication of the scheme, which would have used cryptocurrencies and money laundering methods to hide illicit profits.
(1/3) “As alleged, members and associates of organized crime families fixed illegal poker games as part of a highly sophisticated and lucrative fraud scheme to cheat victims out of millions of dollars and conspired with others to perpetrate their frauds,” stated USA Nocella.
— US Attorney EDNY (@EDNYnews) October 23, 2025
The authorities detailed that the fraud not only included illegal sports betting, but also the manipulation of high-risk poker games, where victims were attracted by the presence of current and retired NBA figures. It is estimated that at least seven million dollars were defrauded in those games.
An article from New York Times He highlighted today that “in New York the five families still have cards to play,” to point out the surprising resurgence of these organizations in the last decade.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, told ESPN that his client had already been interrogated in 2023 by the NBA and the FBI, and that at that time it was determined that he had not committed any crime. So far, neither the NBA nor the Miami Heat have issued official comments on the arrest.
31 Defendants, Including Members and Associates of Organized Crime Families and National Basketball Association Coach Chauncey Billups, Charged in Schemes to Rig Illegal Poker Games (Announced with @NewYorkFBI @HSINewYork @FBIDirectorKash and @NYPDnews)
— US Attorney EDNY (@EDNYnews) October 23, 2025
FBI arrests Terry Rozier
Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups have been arrested for being linked to illegal betting cases.
Rozier’s arrest would have occurred after the Miami Heat were defeated on Wednesday night by the Orlando Magic, in the first game of the two teams in the new NBA season.
ESPN He said Rozier was arrested early Thursday morning at an Orlando hotel.
-With information from La Opinion.