Three of the five remaining defendants in the NBA betting scandal involving former player Ronny Beasley plan to plead guilty, according to a public prosecutor’s statement. The case involves Beasley, a former Milwaukee Bucks player, who faces charges of altering his performance in four games during the 2023-24 season to benefit bettors. A sixth defendant, William Brown, has already pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit cyber fraud. The remaining five defendants, including Beasley and former NBA player Ed Davis, are awaiting trial, with the process set for May 17, 2027.
The prosecutors allege that Beasley and Davis conspired to manipulate game statistics in exchange for debt reductions, while others used the information to place bets totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, stated his client has not yet decided to plead guilty and is reviewing evidence. The lawyers for Davis, Davis’s agent Paolo Zamorano, and two other defendants have not responded to inquiries about their clients’ potential pleas. The case also involves a separate inquiry into former Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, who is accused of accepting a bribe to exit a game early.
Three Defendants Plan Guilty Pleas
A federal prosecutor, David Berman, reported to LaShann DeArcy Hall that three of the five remaining defendants intend to plead guilty, though their identities were not disclosed. The charges include conspiracy to commit fraud, sports corruption, and money laundering. Each count carries penalties of up to 20 years in prison for fraud-related charges and five years for sports corruption. The case centers on four Bucks games in 2024, with bets focused on Beasley’s performance metrics, including rebounds and points.
Beasley Resists Charges, Others Remain Silent
Beasley, who played for the Bucks during the 2023-24 season, has not entered a plea, while Davis’s legal team has not commented. The prosecutors cited evidence that Beasley and Davis agreed to influence game outcomes in exchange for debt reductions, with the latter allegedly facilitating bets through multiple sportsbooks. The case also highlights the growing scrutiny of player props—bets on individual statistics—which are now traded on platforms like Kalshi. The judge is also overseeing a separate investigation into Rozier’s alleged involvement in match-fixing.
The outcome of the case remains uncertain, as two defendants have not yet decided whether to plead guilty, and the legal strategies of several defense teams remain undisclosed. The trial’s start date of May 17, 2027, is the next key milestone in the proceedings.
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