FBI director Kash Patel revealed several notorious Mafia families were involved in the illegal gambling scheme that has rocked the NBA.
‘Not only did we crack into the fraud that these perpetrators committed on the grand stage of the NBA, but we also entered and executed a system of justice against La Casta Nostra to include the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese crime families,’ Patel said.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among 31 arrests made as part of the probe.
Follow for live updates…Â
Mafia connected to gambling scheme, FBI Director says
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that several infamous mob families have connections to the gambling probe.
‘Not only did we crack into the fraud that these perpetrators committed on the grand stage of the NBA, but we also entered and executed a system of justice against La Casta Nostra to include the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese crime families,’ Patel said.
‘The charges and the arrests that were taken down across this country range from wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery, illegal gambling – this FBI will leave no room for any perpetrator of crime across this country.’
Prosecutors tell gambling suspects, ‘Your luck has run out’
US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr. had a harsh rebuke for the suspects charged in the gambling scheme.
‘My message to the defendants who have been rounded up today is this: your winning streak has ended,’ Nocella said.
‘Your luck has run out. Violating the law is a losing proposition, and you can bet on that.’
Gambling scheme involved ‘ tens of millions of dollars in fraud’
Kash Patel shared that the money involved in the gambling investigation is in the ‘tens of millions of dollars.’
‘We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation,’ he said.
‘We will not allow this kind of illicit activity to happen, not only at the national sporting level, but also where it hides in La Cosa Nostra.
‘And when these two collided together, they perpetrated a fraud that is historic in terms of not just money, but the scheme and the deceit that they utilize to steal and swindle people for money, to include crypto fraud.’
31 people arrested in connection to gambling probe
John Marzulli, a spokesperson for the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, revealed that 31 people have been arrested as a result of the NBA gambling investigation.
‘I believe there’s about 31 people in custody, and others will be there will be some who will self surrender,’ Marzulli said.
Statement from Terry Rozier’s lawyer…
Jim Trusty, attorney for Terry Rozier, has told Pablo Torre: ‘We have represented Terry Rozier for over a year. A long time ago we reached out to these prosecutors to tell them we should have an open line of communication.
‘They characterized Terry as a subject, not a target, but at 6 a.m. this morning they called to tell me FBI agents were trying to arrest him in a hotel. It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self surrender they opted for a photo op. They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case.
‘They appear to be taking the word of spectacularly in-credible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA and these prosecutors revived that non-case. Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.’
Rozier to appear in court this afternoon
It has just been announced that Terry Rozier will appear in federal court in Orlando this afternoon.
Billups will appear in federal court in Portland, although the timings of that have not been disclosed.
Where has this come from?
The case has been brought by the U.S. attorney´s office in Brooklyn that previously prosecuted ex-NBA player Jontay Porter.
The former Toronto Raptors center pleaded guilty to charges that he withdrew early from games, claiming illness or injury, so that those in the know could win big by betting on him to underperform expectations.
What we know so far…
The NBA was left in chaos just two days into the new season when veteran player Rozier and Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested as part of a sweeping FBI probe into illegal gambling.
The pair, as well as former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones, were among the reported 31 arrests made in the FBI’s investigation early on Thursday morning.
For all the latest, click below.
NBA in crisis
Welcome to the Daily Mail’s coverage of what has been an explosive morning in the NBA.
The new season is barely two days old yet the league has been engulfed by a sports betting crisis on Thursday morning that has seen Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heart guard Terry Rozier arrested.
FBI Director Kash Patel and The Eastern District of New York are due to give a press conference at 10am ET. Stick with us for live updates.
Share or comment on this article:
FBI uncovers Mafia ties in shocking NBA game-rigging scandal: Live updates
