A former professional basketball player appeared in federal court Wednesday to answer charges related to an alleged sports betting conspiracy that prosecutors say involved manipulating game performances to influence wagering outcomes.
Malik Beasley, 29, entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court. The charges stem from an indictment alleging he altered his on-court performance in exchange for payments from individuals who used this insider information to place successful bets on predetermined game outcomes.
The court released Beasley on a $100,000 bond package that his parents cosigned. His mother and father participated in the proceedings via telephone, with his mother, Dorinda Beasley, confirming to U.S. Magistrate Judge Taryn Merkl that she maintains regular contact with her son, speaking with him approximately five times per week.
Paolo Zamorano, identified as a player agent and co-defendant in the case, was also arraigned during the same court session. He received identical bond terms of $100,000, with his wife and father serving as cosigners.
Following the court proceedings, defense attorney Jason Goldman addressed reporters outside the courthouse, stating his client intends to contest the charges vigorously. Goldman also raised broader concerns about the sports betting industry, suggesting the case highlights larger issues regarding organizations profiting from gambling operations.
The indictment identifies six individuals in total as defendants in the case. Along with Beasley and Zamorano, prosecutors have charged Ed Davis, a 37-year-old former NBA player, William Brown, Robert Gorodetsky, and Ernesto Plascencia.
According to federal prosecutors, the scheme operated during the 2024 season while Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks. The government alleges that Beasley and Davis, who previously played together, coordinated a plan where Beasley would deliberately underperform or overperform relative to betting statistics in specific games.
The alleged conspiracy targeted games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, and Los Angeles Clippers. Prosecutors claim Davis and the other defendants utilized the advance knowledge of Beasley’s planned performance alterations to place wagers with predetermined outcomes, while Beasley received compensation for providing this information.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall in the Eastern District of New York. Judge Hall is currently presiding over similar charges against Terry Rozier, who previously played for the Miami Heat, in what appears to be a broader investigation into sports betting irregularities within professional basketball.
This prosecution represents part of a wider federal effort examining potential corruption in professional sports. A separate but related case before U.S. District Judge Ramon E. Reyes Jr. involves allegations that several NBA players participated in rigged poker games with alleged organized crime connections. That indictment names former player and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups among others accused of using sophisticated card-reading techniques and leveraging their celebrity status to attract participants to the games.
The interconnected nature of these cases became evident when Damon Jones, 49, a former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach, entered guilty pleas in April related to charges in both investigations.
Beasley’s nine-year career in the NBA included stints with multiple teams before the alleged incidents during his time with Milwaukee. The charges he faces carry potential federal penalties if convicted, though specific sentencing guidelines have not been disclosed.
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