Marves Fairley Changes Plea to Guilty in NBA, NCAA Game-Fixing Cases
Fairley, like fellow co-conspirators Damon Jones and Jalen Smith, has pleaded guilty in the betting scandals that have ensnared pro and college basketball.
Marves Fairley, described as a “fixer” in sprawling NCAA men’s basketball and NBA gambling investigations, on Thursday pleaded guilty to all seven federal corruption-related charges from both cases.
At the Eastern District of New York courthouse in Brooklyn, Fairley switched his not-guilty plea in wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges in the NBA indictment and bribery in sports, wire fraud conspiracy and three counts of wire fraud in the NCAA case. He faces a maximum 20-year sentence for wire fraud and money laundering, and five years for bribery in sports. Prosecutors are seeking 97 to 121 months.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 24, 2027.
Fairley, a Mississippi sports bettor and self-described online tout, announced his intentions to change pleas in both cases after reaching a deal with the Department of Justice in April.
The NCAA case was originally adjudicated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, but was transferred because of overlapping co-defendants, including Fairley, according to court documents.
Used NBA Connections for Insider Information, Recruited College Players To Shave Points
Fairley was charged with bribery and wire fraud charges in the NCAA case and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in the NBA case, which centered around former Miami Heat player Terry Rozier allegedly manipulating his performance so gamblers could win prop bets by betting the “unders” on his statistics.
Fairley is accused of using his connections with NBA players to solicit and peddle insider information in USA v. Earnest. Prosecutors also alleged that he recruited China Basketball Association and NCAA players – most from low-profile programs and all without lucrative Name-Image-Likeness deals – to manipulate spreads by shaving points. Twenty six were charged in that case.
The indictment logged numerous text messages from Fairley to co-conspirator players. He faced up to 25 years in federal prison if convicted on all counts.
Said Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the EDNY, when the NBA indictments were unsealed against Fairley, Eric Earnest, Shane Hennen, Damon Jones, Deniro Laster, and Rozier:
As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks. This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit. Insider betting schemes erode the integrity of American sports, and this Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means.”
Fairley the Latest Co-Conspirator To Take Plea Deal
Fairley follows NBA case co-conspirator Damon Jones, a former NBA player and coach, and Jalen Smith, another recruiter in the USA v. Fairley NCAA case in changing pleas to guilty.
Jones was accused of sharing non-public information about a player matching the description of LeBron James sitting out a game so gamblers could benefit.
Smith was the first in the coinciding sports bribery cases to reach a plea agreement in March. The North Carolina resident was described as another recruiter of college players. He pled guilty to counts of bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and an unconnected gun charge.
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