Terry Rozier, the NBA player facing criminal sports betting charges, has resolved at least one other problem with the federal government: a multimillion-dollar tax lien.
On October 29, the IRS filed a certificate of release in Broward County, Florida, where Rozier resides, confirming that he has satisfied the $8.2 million lien, originally assessed in August 2023.
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The release came a day after ESPN reported on privilege, which came months after Rozier was accused of participating in a betting scheme involving prop salaries on his performance as a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
A federal indictment alleges that Rozier informed a friend, Deniro Laster, that he planned to leave early from a March 23, 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, and that Laster and others used that information to place $200,000 in bets predicting that Rozier would underperform his statistical averages.
Rozier, who was averaging 35.3 minutes and 21.1 points per game at the time, left the game against New Orleans less than 10 minutes into the first quarter and did not return, finishing with five points.
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Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Faithfultold ESPN last month that Rozier actually only owes $9,000 of the more than $8 million tax bill and that it had already been paid.
“We just need the IRS to help us remove the now-defunct lien,” Trusty said at the time. The lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment from Sportico.
Following his arrest on October 23, Rozier – currently with the Miami Heat – was placed on immediate leave by the NBA, a decision quickly condemned by the NBA Players Association, which announced it would appeal.
The government alleges that after the March 23, 2023, game, Laster drove from Philadelphia to Rozier’s home in Charlotte, where they counted the tens of thousands of dollars in profits generated by the scheme. Rozier’s arraignment is scheduled for next month and his attorney, Trusty, said the player plans to enter a plea. not guilty.
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