Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – Two former Minnesota Timberwolves players are among six people indicted Monday in an alleged sports gambling scheme that federal prosecutors say involved fixing NBA games.
Malik Beasley and Ed Davis, who were teammates with the Timberwolves during the 2020-21 season, face federal charges out of the Eastern District of New York. According to the indictment, Beasley agreed to manipulate his statistics ahead of at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season.
Prosecutors allege Beasley lost millions of dollars gambling during his nine-year NBA career and accepted bribes that were often used to pay off debts he owed Davis. The indictment alleges co-conspirators placed fraudulent wagers worth hundreds of thousands of dollars based on advance knowledge of Beasley’s planned performances.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said the defendants “turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation.”
The six defendants face charges that include sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Davis and three co-defendants were arrested Monday, while Beasley and his agent, Paolo Zamorano, were not in custody as of Monday morning.
Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, said his client maintains his innocence, adding that an indictment is only a charge and not proof of guilt. Haney said Beasley plans to voluntarily surrender this week.
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