Terry Rozier Clears IRS Lien, Faces Federal Gambling Charges as NBA Waits
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has officially resolved a major financial hurdle, settling an $8.2 million federal tax lien that had been hanging over him since late 2023. According to a court document filed in Broward County, Florida, the IRS issued a certificate of release on October 29, 2025, stating Rozier had “satisfied” the full amount owed. The release was formally recorded by the county clerk on November 20.
Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, had previously indicated the issue was on its way to being resolved. Trusty explained that the lien stemmed from a filing error related to Rozier’s 2021 taxes. What initially appeared to be an $8 million liability was later clarified to be just $3,000 in unpaid taxes-a balance that has since been paid off.
While clearing the lien is a positive development for Rozier, it comes amid a much more serious situation: a federal investigation into illegal sports gambling that has placed the veteran guard at the center of a growing controversy.
Rozier was arrested on October 23 and charged by the Department of Justice for his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme. According to federal prosecutors, Rozier told a friend he would exit a March 2023 game early, a move that would allow bets placed on his individual performance-commonly known as prop bets-to hit. His attorney has denied the allegations, and Rozier has not yet entered a plea.
This isn’t the first time Rozier’s name has surfaced in connection with suspicious betting activity. The NBA conducted its own investigation in 2023 after noticing irregular prop betting patterns involving Rozier. However, the league ultimately declined to take action at the time.
“At the time, we did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that Rozier violated league rules,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in October. He also noted that the league’s investigative capabilities are more limited than those of federal authorities. Still, following Rozier’s arrest, the NBA placed him on indefinite leave-a move that signals the league is taking the federal charges seriously, even if it hasn't rendered its own judgment yet.
Rozier is scheduled to make his first federal court appearance next week in Brooklyn, where he’ll be arraigned. His case is unfolding alongside a separate but connected investigation involving a rigged poker scheme.
That case has already seen appearances from former NBA player Damon Jones and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, who prosecutors say may have tipped off bettors about player availability in at least one game. Billups has pleaded not guilty.
Three individuals-Jones, Shane Hennen, and Eric Earnest-have been charged in both the poker and sports gambling indictments, suggesting a deeper web of activity that crosses into multiple corners of the sports world. While Rozier’s role is still being sorted out in court, the allegations have already cast a long shadow over his playing career.
For now, Rozier remains off the court and under federal scrutiny. The Heat, the NBA, and fans across the league are left waiting to see how this story unfolds-not just for what it means for Rozier, but for what it could mean for the integrity of the game itself.