Prosecutors Accuse Terry Rozier’s Co-Defendant of Witness Tampering in NBA Betting Case
A key defendant allegedly contacted a co-defendant and used rat emojis on Instagram to intimidate potential witnesses.
Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to revoke Deniro Laster’s bond and hold him in custody until trial. They allege Terry Rozier’s childhood friend and co-defendant repeatedly violated his release conditions and attempted to interfere with the NBA betting case.
The filing does not accuse Rozier of participating in the alleged witness tampering. Prosecutors allege Laster “repeatedly and flagrantly” violated his release conditions by attempting to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses.
Prosecutors Cite Contacts and Rat-Emoji Posts
According to the filing, Laster called another defendant in approximately December 2025. Laster allegedly said that he and the other defendants “would be well positioned to defend the charges against them if they did not cooperate with law enforcement.” Prosecutors said the call violated a bond condition prohibiting Laster from contacting co-defendants outside the presence of counsel.
The government also cited at least two occasions when Instagram accounts associated with Laster posted rat emojis. Prosecutors argued that the posts aimed to disparage and intimidate a potential witness. The filing defines a “rat” as someone perceived as a “snitch, informant, or someone who cooperates with law enforcement.”
Prosecutors also argue that Laster’s reputation as “someone who had a gun collection and who typically carried a gun” was relevant to how witnesses interpreted the alleged threats. The filing says witnesses were aware of Laster’s reputation for having access to guns.
Revocation of Deniro Laster’s bail is the only means of ensuring that he will comply with the Court’s orders, refrain from further criminal conduct, preserve the integrity of these proceedings, and protect witnesses or perceived witnesses,” prosecutors wrote.
Laster’s attorney had not publicly responded to the allegations as of Wednesday.
Rozier Attorney Calls GMB Reference a ‘Dog Whistle’
Although prosecutors did not accuse Rozier, a 10-year NBA veteran who last played in April 2025, of participating in the alleged witness intimidation, the filing identified both men as members of a group known as GMB. Prosecutors say group members, including Rozier and Laster, “have publicly held themselves out as having access to guns.”
Rozier’s attorney, David Markus, rejected any suggestion that GMB was a criminal organization. He said the initials stand for “Get More Blessings,” a phrase adopted by Rozier and his friends during high school. Rozier’s charitable organization also uses it.
“The government’s attempt to imply that it was some sort of criminal organization is absurd,” Markus told The Athletic.
Terry has never been charged with any firearms offense or with intimidating a witness, and nothing in this filing alleges that he did either. It is nothing more than a dog whistle and a desperate attempt by the government to taint Terry because it sees its case is falling apart.”
In a filing last week, Markus pointed to a 2023 Laster message to prove Rozier’s innocence. Laster allegedly wrote, “Dont tell chum bout the bet.” Markus said that “Chum” is Rozier’s nickname and argued that the message demonstrates Laster was deliberately keeping Rozier unaware of the betting activity.
Prosecutors disputed that interpretation, saying evidence suggests the text chain “does not relate to sports gambling.”
Laster Allegedly Served as Middleman in Betting Scheme
Federal prosecutors allege Rozier told Laster in advance that he would underperform in a March 23, 2023, game between Rozier’s Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. Laster and other defendants allegedly passed that information to bettors, who placed more than $258,700 in wagers on Rozier finishing below various statistical totals.
A superseding indictment filed in May alleged Rozier accepted a $100,000 bribe to manipulate his performance. Prosecutors said the payment was reduced to approximately $70,000 after his four rebounds caused one of the wagers to lose. Rozier subsequently pleaded not guilty to the additional sports-bribery and honest-services fraud charges.
Rozier and Laster have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Their trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 8, 2027.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
