Former NBA players Malik Beasley and Ed Davis were indicted Monday on federal charges alleging their involvement in a sports betting scheme aimed at manipulating game outcomes for financial gain. The indictment, filed in Brooklyn Federal Court, accuses the two along with four other individuals of wire fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.
Beasley, 29, most recently played for the Detroit Pistons before an ongoing gambling investigation halted his free agency last year. He played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 NBA season, when prosecutors say he intentionally altered his performance in at least three games to benefit an illegal betting ring. Davis, 37, a former teammate of Beasley on the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020-21 season and who last played in the NBA in 2022, is alleged to have acted as a "gatekeeper" in the scheme. Beasley reportedly owed Davis significant gambling debts, which prosecutors say were reduced or forgiven in exchange for fixing games.
According to the indictment, the conspirators coordinated which games Beasley would underperform or overperform in specific statistical categories such as rebounds and points scored. Text messages included in the charges reveal the planning behind the scheme, with Davis telling Beasley, “Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting,” shortly before agreeing to under- or overachieve in games during early 2024. The group strategically targeted less prominent games to avoid media scrutiny and detection.
The scheme included manipulating Beasley’s rebound totals during games against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, 2024, the Charlotte Hornets on February 27, 2024, and the Los Angeles Clippers on March 10, 2024. The conspirators placed tens of thousands of dollars on bets tied to Beasley’s performance, reportedly profiting roughly $100,000 on a single game. However, the scheme unraveled after Beasley failed to meet agreed-upon underperformance in a March 21, 2024, game against the Brooklyn Nets. Subsequent demands for additional game-fixing escalated until news of an NFT investigation into Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter—who also pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in a related case—led to the plan’s collapse.
The federal indictment names four other individuals allegedly involved: William Brown of Nebraska; Robert Gorodtesky of Illinois; Ernesto Plascencia of California, who is connected to NBA players; and Paolo Zamorano, a former Division I college basketball player and Davis’ former agent. Davis, Brown, Gorodtesky, and Plascencia have been arrested, while Beasley and Zamorano remain at large.
Beasley’s lawyer emphasized his client’s presumption of innocence and vowed a vigorous defense. Zamorano’s attorney also denied the charges and expressed confidence his client would be exonerated. The NBA declined to comment directly but stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport.
This case adds to a growing list of federal investigations and indictments involving NBA players and associates in illegal sports betting activities. Notably, Jontay Porter, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, former Cavaliers player and coach Damon Jones, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have also faced related charges. With Beasley’s free agency stalled and contract offers rescinded amid the investigation, the scandal underscores continuing concerns over gambling’s impact on professional basketball.