The situation surrounding Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has taken a serious turn in 2023. The athlete is currently facing an $8 million tax lien filed by the IRS, which has drawn significant attention due to allegations of financial misconduct.
IRS Tax Lien Filed Against Rozier
According to county clerk records, the IRS lodged a federal income tax lien totaling $8,218,211 against Rozier in November 2023. This lien was filed in Broward County, Florida, where Rozier resides. Tax attorney Steven N. Klitzner noted that such liens typically occur only after several past due notices are issued. “It shouldn’t be a surprise to them,” he remarked.
Gambling Allegations Arise
In the same year, Terry Rozier was implicated in manipulating his performance in an NBA game linked to alleged gambling schemes. Federal authorities accuse him of providing inside information about his decision to leave a March 2023 game early due to a foot injury. This information was then reportedly sold to bettors for approximately $100,000 by a friend, Deniro Laster.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Rozier and Laster face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The two were part of a larger sweep that resulted in 34 arrests in connection with federal gambling investigations. Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney, stated that his client is “not a gambler” and expressed confidence in winning the legal battle.
NBA Response
Following the indictment, the NBA placed Rozier on leave as they carried out their investigation. While initially suspicious of specific betting patterns related to Rozier’s statistics, the league ultimately determined that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that he violated any rules. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged Rozier’s cooperation during the investigation.
Additional Financial Concerns
Records also reveal a separate construction lien against Rozier, filed in August 2022 for about $271,000, of which $250,000 has already been settled. This lien pertains to ongoing work on his $5.3 million property in Broward County.
Contract and Earnings
On August 24, 2021, Rozier signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $96.3 million with the Charlotte Hornets. He was later traded to the Miami Heat on January 23, 2024. By this season, Rozier’s career on-court earnings total approximately $161.7 million.
As this situation unfolds, stakeholders across the NBA and the broader financial community will be closely monitoring Rozier’s legal and financial status.
