Former NBA players Malik Beasley and Ed Davis, along with four other people, have been indicted over an alleged sports betting conspiracy
Former NBA stars Malik Beasley and Ed Davis are among six others who have been indicted on Monday for their involvement in an alleged sports betting scheme that took place over four matches during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York alleged that Beasley agreed to manipulate his on-court statistics in those games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.
According to prosecutors, the conspiracy generated net winnings of more than $121,000 from wagers totaling over $75,000.
Authorities allege Beasley took bribes that were sometimes used to reduce or repay gambling debts owed to Davis, who was alleged to be the intermediary between Beasley and the betting group.
The scheme reportedly included games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Brooklyn Nets, all of which took place between January and March 2024.
“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, bribing then-NBA player Malik Beasley to fix his performance in multiple games in order to place fraudulent wagers, enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” said Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
“Bribery and insider betting schemes like this one involving former NBA players and a current NBA player agent who exploited inside NBA information for profit erode the integrity of American sports and victimize the sports-watching public. Our Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means.”
Davis and three of the other defendants were arrested on Monday. Beasley and player agent Paolo Zamorano were reportedly not in custody when the indictment was announced, but Beasley’s attorney told ESPN that his client will surrender voluntarily and denied the allegations. Zamorano’s lawyer also rejected the charges.
The NBA said it is reviewing the indictment and intends to continue its co-operation with federal authorities, while the National Basketball Players Association said it was monitoring the case to ensure that the players’ rights to due process were protected.
Prosecutors allege that the conspiracy ended after news emerged in March 2024 that then-Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter was being investigated in a separate betting case.
The indictment also forms part of a wider federal investigation into alleged corruption in betting involving current and former US basketball players.
“These defendants allegedly operated an illegal betting ring in an attempt to unlawfully earn hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said James Barnacle Jr., assistant director in charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI). “As alleged, Malik Beasley allowed himself to be bought and altered his gametime performance to line pockets of Ed Davis and his other co-conspirators.
“The FBI continues to dismantle fraudulent schemes that erode the integrity of any institution, including our nation’s professional sports leagues.”