Federal Bureau of Investigation Figures’ Alleged Ties to Mafia and Game-Fixing Are Just “The Start” of Probe
The FBI announced a significant development in its ongoing investigation into criminal schemes involving sports betting and money laundering. Over 30 individuals, including current NBA players and coaches, have been arrested and charged in connection with these activities.
During a press conference on Thursday, FBI Director Patel addressed the charges, stating, “It’s simple, we follow the money.” He emphasized that while the NBA is involved, the investigation extends far beyond the league.
The FBI director explained, “We are not the morality police. We enforce the laws. If you break the law, we are coming for you, whether you play in the NBA or coach in the NBA.”
According to Patel, the arrested individuals allegedly collaborated with La Cosa Nostra and four of the five major New York City crime families. Together, they created gambling empires to extort money, commit wire fraud, and rig both poker and basketball games to generate illegal profits.
“These criminals had mafia protection across New York and the country, enabling them to fleece innocent victims out of tens of millions of dollars,” Patel added.
### High-Profile Arrests and Charges
Among those arrested are Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat star guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones. The suspects, along with bettors Eric Earnest, Marves Fairley, Shane Hennen, and Deniro Laster, face charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
These charges relate to an alleged scheme to use insider information from NBA players and coaches to profit from illegal betting activities.
### Ongoing Investigation
Patel stated that this “massive takedown” spans multiple jurisdictions and is far from over. He clarified that the investigation targets illegal activities linked to organized crime, not legal gambling.
“This investigation is just the start,” he said, noting that the FBI coordinated arrests across dozens of cities nationwide.
At the press conference, Patel reassured the public, “If you didn’t do anything wrong or illegal, there’s nothing to worry about.” He also dismissed criticisms suggesting the FBI is targeting sports betting generally, calling such comments unfounded.
### Mafia Links and Victim Impact
According to the FBI, the suspects used advanced technology and deceit to scam victims out of millions of dollars. The illicit proceeds were then funneled to three families of the Italian-American Mafia, known as La Cosa Nostra.
The NBA reportedly received its first alert about suspicious betting activities involving Terry Rozier in January, concerning actions dating back to March 2023, Bloomberg reported.
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https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/23/kash-patel-nba-alleged-mafia-game-fixing-ties/
