Defendant in Rozier Sports Betting Scandal Accused of Witness Tampering

• Federal prosecutors are accusing defendant Deniro Laster of obstructing justice and witness tampering
• Prosecutors are requesting Laster be detained in custody pending trial
• Laster faces charges stemming from the Terry Rozier sports betting scandal

---

Federal prosecutors are requesting Deniro Laster, a co-defendant charged in the Terry Rozier NBA sports betting scandal, be detained in custody pending trial due to alleged multiple attempts at witness tampering.

Laster has been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for his alleged role in an illegal sports betting gambling ring, which manipulated game performances and used non-public information to win large amounts of money over at least two NBA seasons.

According to prosecutors, Laster has repeatedly engaged and attempted to engage in obstruction and witness tampering since his arrest in October 2025.

Intimidating Acts and Emojis

Since his arrest, prosecutors have pointed to a number of instances of Laster attempting to intimidate witnesses to avoid cooperating with the government’s investigation. Laster, Rozier, and certain childhood friends allegedly belonged to a crew they call “GMB,” with members showcasing publicly as having access to guns.

According to federal prosecutors, Laster allegedly contacted three associates to ask if they were cooperating with the investigation, in ways that were interpreted as threats. Additionally, he attempted to contact an associate through a third party, which prosecutors noted was a violation of his bond. His arrest prohibited him from any form of contact with co-defendants, co-conspirators, victims and witness identified by the government.

Additionally, prosecutors report that soon after June 30, 2026, an Instagram account associated with Laster posted a rat emoji to an associate involved with the case. An investigation found that Laster’s Instagram account, or accounts associated with Laster and Rozier, have posted rat emojis publicly on social media accounts before.

“Since being arrested in October 2025, Deniro Laster has violated his conditions of release on multiple occasions, in particular the conditions prohibiting him from communicating with co-defendants, co-conspirators or witnesses outside the presence of counsel and committing additional crimes while on release,” prosecutors wrote.

Involved in Sports Betting Scandal

Both Rozier and Laster have pled not guilty for their roles in the alleged sports betting scandal.

Rozier was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering and he was released on a $3 million personal recognizance bond.

During the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 NBA seasons, Rozier, Laster, and other co-defendants allegedly used non-public information and plans from NBA players to leave games early to capitalize on a number of bets placed through online and retail sportsbooks.

According to an indictment, six members of the ring either manipulated individual performances or knew non-public information prior to several NBA games.

A judge restricted Rozier’s travel to Florida, Ohio, New York City, and Long Island. If attempting to travel anywhere lese, Rozier must obtain approval from the court.

The sports betting scandal, dubbed “Operation Nothing But Net” by the FBI, involved similar individuals who also orchestrated the sports betting scheme involving former Raptors center Jontay Porter. Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in manipulating his performance outcomes and is awaiting sentencing. He has also been permanently banned from the NBA.

A federal investigation for Rozier was announced in January, centering around a March 23, 2023 game when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier played less than 10 minutes in the game after leaving with what was described as a foot injury. Rozier averaged more than 35 minutes a game that season.

Individuals involved in the conspiracy knew when specific players would be sitting out futures games or who planned to pull themselves out of competition early, for purported injuries of illnesses.

The defendants placed bets on games involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers, he said. They did so through online sports betting platforms and in-person at casino sportsbooks.