Terry Rozier Co-Defendant Accused of Witness Tampering in Gambling Case

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to jail a co-conspirator in the Terry Rozier sports betting corruption case, accusing him of attempting to tamper with witnesses while awaiting trial.

Deniro Laster, a childhood friend of the former Miami Heat guard, is accused of helping orchestrate a scheme in which Rozier accepted a $100,000 bribe to leave a March 2023 Charlotte Hornets game early, according to prosecutors.

The government says the move allowed a betting syndicate armed with advance knowledge to profit from player prop bets. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Instagram Rat

In a filing Tuesday (August 4) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to revoke Laster’s pretrial release, arguing he has “repeatedly and flagrantly violated” the conditions of his release through witness tampering and obstruction efforts.

Prosecutors accuse Laster of trying to identify cooperating witnesses, contacting them through intermediaries, and encouraging at least one co-defendant not to cooperate with investigators.

They also allege an Instagram account linked to Laster posted an image of a rat, which they argue was a bid to intimidate potential witnesses.

The government said it is aware of two additional alleged witness-tampering incidents that remain under seal because they involve grand jury material.

“Revocation of Deniro Laster’s bail is the only means of ensuring that he will comply with the Court’s orders,” prosecutors wrote.

GMB ‘Dog Whistle’

Prosecutors also allege Laster and Rozier belong to a group known as GMB, whose members have publicly portrayed themselves as having access to firearms.

They cited social media photographs allegedly showing members of the group posing with guns before charges were filed, arguing the context made the alleged “rat” post more intimidating to potential witnesses.

Rozier attorney David Markus blasted those references as an attempt to unfairly prejudice his client.

Markus said GMB stands for “Get More Blessings,” the motto of Rozier’s charitable foundation, and noted that Rozier has never been charged with a firearms offense or witness intimidation.

Rozier and Laster are scheduled to stand trial in February 2027. Rozier faces charges including sports bribery, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, all of which he denies.