TLDR:
- The FBI arrested 30 people in an 11-state raid uncovering a gambling ring tied to La Cosa Nostra.
- NBA figures, including Billups and Rozier, were charged with fraud and money laundering schemes.
- Officials said the group rigged games and laundered millions through crypto to evade law enforcement.
- The NBA suspended both players as federal investigations into betting corruption widen.
The FBI carried out a massive nationwide operation that took down a gambling and crypto laundering network involving current and former NBA figures.
Over 30 arrests were made across 11 states after a months-long investigation revealed deep ties between professional basketball insiders and organized crime families. Federal officials described the operation as one of the most complex gambling probes in years.
The case involved wire fraud, money laundering, and manipulation of sports betting outcomes for profit. According to Fox News Digital, the arrests included NBA head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
NBA Figures Linked to Rigged Sports Betting and Crypto Laundering
The operation, named Zhen Diagram and Nothing But Net, targeted individuals working with the La Cosa Nostra crime network.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the Bureau had “followed the money” leading to the arrests. The agency said the suspects used gambling platforms and cryptocurrencies to conceal their earnings.
Investigators found that the scheme exploited insider access to player injuries and game plans to manipulate bets. Players allegedly shared non-public information to help the network profit from prop bets.
Authorities said portions of the illegal proceeds were converted into crypto, routed through shell accounts, and laundered through multiple exchanges to mask their origin.
Prosecutors explained that the operation involved rigged poker games, cheating devices, and “face card” celebrities used to attract high-stakes participants. The FBI said one undercover informant recorded thousands of calls and meetings, exposing the group’s coordination across states.
The Justice Department confirmed that Billups and Rozier were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The NBA immediately placed both on leave as the league reviews the case.
Operation Exposes Gambling Network Within Pro Sports
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said during a New York press briefing that the FBI uncovered an organized system designed to defraud both bettors and bookmakers. He explained that several players faked injuries to influence betting outcomes, while others placed wagers through intermediaries.
Nocella noted that the network used threats to extract insider information from players already in debt. He cited a past case involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who had previously pled guilty in a similar betting scandal.
The FBI said the suspects used “straw bettors” to place maximum wagers and boost profits across multiple sportsbooks.
The laundering element, according to federal agents, relied heavily on cryptocurrency. They said portions of the funds were converted into digital assets before being distributed internationally. This digital layer, investigators claimed, allowed La Cosa Nostra-linked operators to move money without immediate detection.
The Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers confirmed cooperation with federal authorities. Assistant coach Tiago Splitter will temporarily lead the Blazers as investigations continue.
