Terry Rozier’s legal professional Jim Trusty dismissed federal allegations that his shopper faked an damage to facilitate unlawful sports activities betting, arguing Rozier misplaced cash from his shoe endorsement deal by lacking video games on the finish of the 2022-23 season.
The federal indictment alleges Rozier knowledgeable co-defendant De’Niro Laster he would prematurely take away himself from a March 23, 2023 sport within the first quarter as a result of a supposed damage. Rozier exited that Charlotte Hornets-New Orleans Pelicans contest and missed the ultimate eight video games of the season.
Trusty appeared Tuesday on The Will Cain Present on Fox Information to defend his shopper in opposition to the fees unsealed final week.
“This indictment really means that he faked the damage, which is absurd. Folks knew about it. Medical individuals knew about it. Workers knew about it. Associates knew about it,” Trusty mentioned. “And so when he sat that sport and the subsequent 5 or 6 video games to finish the season, he really misplaced cash.”
Trusty instructed Entrance Workplace Sports activities that Rozier’s shoe contract was pro-rated primarily based on video games performed. He mentioned Rozier “misplaced a big amount of cash by sitting out the final 5-6 video games of that season.”
Rozier had a shoe cope with Puma by means of the tip of the 2022-23 season, although monetary particulars stay undisclosed. He wore Nike sneakers solely the next season earlier than switching to Skechers for many of final season.
When requested straight whether or not Rozier offered inside data for unlawful betting functions, Trusty responded emphatically.
“Sure, that is a simple one to reply. It is an absolute not. By no means occurred,” Trusty mentioned. “I feel the prosecution principally is aware of it, however they appreciated the concept of getting him as a trophy on this case to form of mirror the larger case with Chauncey Billups.”
The indictment lists eight separate betting cases on Rozier unders totaling $265,300 in wagers. It stays unclear whether or not Rozier acquired any cash from the alleged scheme.
The indictment states defendants Marves Fairley and Laster counted cash at Rozier’s Charlotte dwelling on April 1, 2023.
