TLDR
- Former NBA player Malik Beasley entered a not guilty plea to federal charges related to an alleged betting manipulation operation.
- A federal judge approved his release after posting $100,000 bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for August 6.
- Ed Davis allegedly served as an intermediary connecting Beasley to the gambling operation.
- Federal authorities identified Damon Jones as a participant in a related court document.
- The betting group allegedly placed wagers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one successful bet yielding $121,000.
Ex-NBA shooting guard Malik Beasley appeared in federal court Wednesday to enter a not guilty plea to four criminal charges. The case originated from an indictment filed by federal prosecutors in New York’s Eastern District.
Federal authorities claim Beasley participated in a coordinated effort with multiple bettors. The alleged operation centered on fixing player performance bets during four separate NBA contests throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Following his arraignment, Beasley secured his release after posting a $100,000 bond. He’s required to return to Brooklyn’s federal courthouse on August 6 for his next scheduled appearance.
During the period in question, Beasley was on the roster of the Milwaukee Bucks. The charges against him include sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud, and conspiracy related to money laundering.
Ed Davis Allegedly Served as Connection Point
Ed Davis, who shared the court with Beasley as Minnesota Timberwolves teammates in the 2020-21 campaign, is among six individuals facing charges in this prosecution.
According to federal authorities, Davis functioned as the key connection point to Beasley. The government alleges Beasley accepted payments in return for intentionally manipulating his statistical performance in points and rebounds.
Portions of these alleged payments supposedly went toward settling loans from Davis. Federal prosecutors contend these loans covered substantial gambling obligations that accumulated to millions of dollars throughout Davis’s nine seasons in the NBA.
Paolo Zamorano, who holds certification as an NBA Players Association agent, also faced arraignment on Wednesday. He similarly entered a not guilty plea and secured release under identical bond conditions as Beasley.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. addressed the matter following the unsealing of the indictment. He emphasized that such operations undermine the legitimacy of professional sports and betray the trust of fans.
Beasley could face imprisonment of up to 20 years for each of the wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges. The sports bribery count carries a potential sentence of five years.
Damon Jones Identified in Related Court Document
In a filing submitted following Monday’s indictments, federal prosecutors identified former NBA player and coaching staff member Damon Jones as a participant in the operation connected to Beasley.
Jones previously entered a not guilty plea in a separate but related prosecution. That matter involves ex-player Terry Rozier, whose trial on sports corruption allegations is scheduled to begin in February.
According to prosecutors, the betting operation also involved an unnamed participant who hasn’t been charged. This individual is identified as a current assistant coach for a Division II men’s basketball program.
The organization allegedly wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars spanning the four games under investigation. A single wager in the scheme reportedly generated winnings of $121,000.
Filed court records contain text message exchanges among alleged participants Zamorano, Rob Gorodetsky, Ernesto Plascencia, and William Brown. These communications allegedly reveal the group’s concerns about whether their wagers would succeed.
One particular exchange referenced a March 10, 2024 incident. Beasley secured a rebound with just 1.1 seconds remaining in a contest against the Los Angeles Clippers, a moment prosecutors claim guaranteed the group’s payout.
According to prosecutors, the operation eventually deteriorated due to internal conflicts. Members allegedly developed mistrust regarding the distribution of profits and the selection process for placing bets.
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