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Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York have asked a judge to revoke Deniro Laster’s pretrial release, alleging that the Terry Rozier co-defendant tried to identify and intimidate potential witnesses while awaiting trial.
The filing, reported by Casino.org, says Laster repeatedly violated release conditions through alleged witness tampering and obstruction. Rozier and Laster have both pleaded not guilty in the sports betting corruption case and are scheduled for trial in February 2027.
Prosecutors allege repeated efforts to contact or intimidate witnesses
According to prosecutors, Laster tried to identify cooperating witnesses, contacted them through intermediaries, and encouraged at least one co-defendant not to cooperate with investigators.
The government also pointed to an Instagram post from an account linked to Laster that showed an image of a rat, which prosecutors argue was intended to intimidate potential witnesses. In the filing, prosecutors said they are also aware of two additional alleged witness-tampering incidents that remain under seal.
Prosecutors told U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall that jailing Laster before trial is necessary, writing that “Revocation of Deniro Laster’s bail is the only means of ensuring that he will comply with the Court’s orders.”
Case centers on alleged player-prop betting scheme
Prosecutors allege Laster helped orchestrate a scheme in which Rozier accepted a $100,000 bribe to leave a March 2023 Charlotte Hornets game early. The government says that allowed a betting syndicate to profit from player prop bets with advance knowledge.
Rozier faces charges including sports bribery, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy. He has denied wrongdoing.
Rozier attorney David Markus pushed back on part of the government’s filing, saying references to GMB were misread by prosecutors. “In this case, GMB stands for Government’s Massive Blunder,” Markus said. He also said Rozier has never been charged with a firearms offense or witness intimidation.
What comes next in the New York case
The immediate question is whether Judge DeArcy Hall grants the government’s request to revoke Laster’s release. Beyond that, the larger sports betting corruption case is currently set for trial in February 2027.
For New York readers, the case is another example of federal scrutiny around betting integrity, especially when allegations involve insider information and player prop wagers.
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Source: As reported by casino.org.
