Witness Tampering Allegations Emerge in Rozier Betting Case

WHO:

NY Post - Deniro Laster, co-defendant in the NBA betting case involving Terry Rozier.

ESPN - U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

WHAT:

NY Post - Federal prosecutors are seeking to revoke Laster's bond due to allegations of witness tampering.

ESPN - Laster allegedly attempted to tamper with witnesses by posting a rat emoji on Instagram.

ESPN - Prosecutors claim Laster has violated the conditions of his release by contacting co-defendants directly and through intermediaries.

ESPN - Laster and Rozier allegedly agreed to a bribe of roughly $70,000 in exchange for insider information about a game.

ESPN - Rozier and Laster are facing charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.

WHERE:

ESPN - The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

WHEN:

ESPN - A trial is currently scheduled for February 8, 2027.

ESPN - A status conference for all defendants is scheduled for an upcoming Tuesday.

WHY:

ESPN - Prosecutors argue that revoking Laster's bail is necessary to ensure compliance with court orders and to protect witnesses.

HOW:

ESPN - Laster allegedly used social media to intimidate witnesses by posting emojis associated with betrayal.

ESPN - Laster reportedly sold insider information about a March 2023 game to fellow sports bettors.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 23:55 UTC)

Federal prosecutors are seeking to revoke Deniro Laster's bond in the NBA betting case involving Terry Rozier due to allegations of witness tampering, claiming he violated the conditions of his release by contacting co-defendants directly and through intermediaries. Laster allegedly attempted to intimidate witnesses by posting a rat emoji on Instagram and is accused of agreeing to a bribe of roughly $70,000 for insider information about a game. A trial is currently scheduled for February 8, 2027, with a status conference for all defendants set for an upcoming Tuesday, as prosecutors argue that revoking Laster's bail is necessary to protect witnesses and ensure compliance with court orders.