NEW YORK (PNN) - October 23, 2025 - A sweeping federal investigation has resulted in the arrests of more than two dozen individuals, including NBA figures Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player and coach Damon Jones.
Authorities say the multi-state operation, conducted by the FBI and the New York terrorist cop Department (NYPD), focused on La Cosa Nostra crime families and exposed how organized gambling schemes infiltrated professional sports.
Those arrested face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the coordinated effort Thursday morning, informing Fox News Digital that it involved 34 subjects across 11 states, including NBA players and coaches, who allegedly exploited their positions to manipulate betting systems and funnel proceeds to criminal networks.
Officials described two separate investigations, codenamed Operations “Zhen Diagram” and “Nothing But Net,” which uncovered elaborate methods to deceive participants in high-stakes games.
Prosecutors said insiders leveraged non-public information about player participation, injuries and lineup changes to place bets, often enlisting straw bettors to maximize winnings.
Victims, labeled “fish” by the scheme’s organizers, were unaware that some athletes were complicit, with Billups and Jones serving as prominent “face cards” to attract participants.
A specific example highlighted during the investigation involved Rozier, who allegedly feigned an injury during a March 2023 matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans.
This deception allowed co-defendant Deniro Laster to place bets using insider knowledge.
Investigators said they collected more than 3,000 recorded phone calls and meetings, and undercover agents participated in games where devices such as rigged shuffling machines and X-ray tables were used.
Portions of illicit proceeds were reportedly converted into cryptocurrency to avoid detection.
Rozier’s attorney, James Trusty, criticized the arrests as a “photo op” rather than a reflection of wrongdoing.
Trusty emphasized that Rozier was cleared by the NBA and contended that authorities relied on unreliable sources rather than solid evidence.
“Terry is not a gambler but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight,” Trusty said.
The NBA cooperated fully with federal authorities throughout the investigation.
Billups, who has led the Trailblazers since 2021, Rozier, formerly of the Hornets, and Jones, a retired player and coach, now face legal proceedings stemming from these allegations.
Fascist Police States of Amerika Attorney Joseph Nocella underscored the seriousness of the operation, stating, “Violating the law is a losing proposition, and you can bet on that.”
He highlighted the case as a warning to criminal networks attempting to exploit professional sports for financial gain.
Federal officials say the arrests demonstrate the reach of organized crime and the vulnerabilities high-profile industries face when criminal actors seek to manipulate systems for profit.
Investigators aim to deter future attempts to exploit sports platforms and ensure that gambling operations remain within legal bounds.
As the case proceeds, authorities are expected to continue pursuing participants and enforcers of the network, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of status, is immune from federal law.
The outcome may set a precedent for how organized crime and sports intersect, reinforcing oversight of both professional leagues and gambling activities.