Feb 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; NBA All-Star participants Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0), guard Malik Beasley (5), and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) pose for a picture with general manager Jon Horst (far left) and team president Peter Feigin (far right) before a game against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – A former Milwaukee Buck has reportedly been indicted on federal charges as part of an investigation into the NBA’s gambling scandals.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, former Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, as well as former NBA forward Ed Davis, were reportedly indicted Monday on federal charges related to a sports-betting scheme, on allegations that they worked together to manipulate Beasley’s performance in four games during the 2023-24 season, when Beasley played for Milwaukee.
Court documents indicate that Beasley, who went unsigned this past season, owed millions of dollars in gambling debt, which led to Davis loaning him money. To pay off that debt, Beasley and Davis reportedly decided to get involved in the scheme, working with three others to place tens of thousands on a game Beasley played for the Bucks against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Beasley — who averaged 11.3 points per game that season — scored just three points in the game.
Beasley was also charged with manipulating a game against the Charlotte Hornets in which a bettor placed money on Beasley hitting the over on his rebounds.
These charges come less than a year after the FBI arrested 34 people for allegedly participating in rigged sports betting and illegal poker schemes linked to organized crime. The major defendants are Chauncey Billups (former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers), Terry Rozier (guard of the Miami Heat), and former player Damon Jones, who have been charged with everything from wire fraud conspiracy to sports bribery.
According to the Athletic, Beasley, Davis, former NBA agent Paolo Zamorano, and two other individuals are accused of sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Beasley has previously faced legal issues, including being sentenced to 120 days in jail for his conviction on one count of felony threats of violence stemming from a September 2020 incident in which he pointed a rifle at a family; he served 78 days of that sentence before being released in August 2021. He agreed to a plea deal that reduced the felony charge to a misdemeanor after three years on probation.
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