Full Breakdown
Former NBA Players Malik Beasley and Ed Davis Indicted in Federal Sports-Betting Scheme
7/2/2026, 5:19:11 AM
Indictment
On June 29, 2026 a Brooklyn federal grand jury unsealed an indictment charging former NBA guard Malik Beasley and Ed Davis, and four co-defendants, with wire-fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests, honest-services fraud, and money-laundering. Prosecutors allege Beasley, while with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24, agreed to alter game statistics in at least three contests to help bettors and to reduce debts he owed Davis.
Investigation
The indictment is part of a federal probe that has led to dozens of arrests of NBA figures, including Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones. Prosecutors Joseph Nocella Jr. and Benjamin Weintraub lead the case. Co-defendants include agent Paolo Zamorano and alleged conspirators William Brown, Robert Gorodetsky and Ernesto Plascencia. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass has issued a statement.
Timeline
Key alleged actions include a Dec 29 2023 text from Davis—“Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting”—and several Bucks games in early 2024 where Beasley allegedly altered his stats, such as Jan 26 2024 vs Cavaliers (under-3.5 rebounds) and Mar 10 2024 vs Clippers (over-3.5 rebounds). Prosecutors say the ring placed “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in wagers, including a $75,000 bet that yielded $121,000. Beasley’s gambling losses are reported as “millions,” with one source estimating $8 million.
Statements
Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said defendants “turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation.” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said the league “takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and integrity of our game remains our top priority.” Beasley’s lawyer Steve Haney called the indictment “a probable-cause, one-sided charging document” and stressed his client’s presumption of innocence. The case raises concerns about NBA integrity.
Defense
Beasley’s team argues the indictment alone is not evidence and urges the public to “reserve judgment until all the facts are known.” They label the charges “unfounded.” Sources differ on the number of games—some say “at least four,” others “three”—and on bet sizes, ranging from “tens of thousands of dollars” to a $75,000 wager. The first alleged fix is dated Jan 25, Jan 26 or Jan 31 in reports, and accounts vary on whether Beasley was in custody at indictment.
Quotes
- “Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting.” — Ed Davis, text to Malik Beasley
- “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.” — Mike Bass, NBA spokesperson
- “An indictment is nothing but a probable cause one-sided charging document.” — Steve Haney, attorney for Malik Beasley
- “This is only the very beginning of things. An indictment means nothing.” — Jason Goldman, attorney for Malik Beasley
Next
Beasley and co-defendants will appear at a status conference on Aug 6, 2026. The NBA says it will continue cooperating with federal investigators, and the Eastern District of New York may move toward trial later in 2026 or 2027.
