A federal grand jury returned the Malik Beasley indictment on June 24, charging the former NBA guard and several others in the Eastern District of New York with a scheme prosecutors say used inside information about Beasley’s planned performances to place profitable prop wagers.
“Bribery and insider betting schemes like this one involving former NBA players and a current NBA player agent who exploited inside NBA information for profit erode the integrity of American sports and victimize the sports-watching public,” the U.S. attorney said.
Malik Beasley indictment: key allegations
The indictment — filed in the Eastern District of New York — names Malik Beasley, former NBA player Ed Davis, player agent Paolo Zamorano and three other men. Counts include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, sports bribery, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
What prosecutors say happened
Prosecutors allege a scheme running from December 2023 through April 2024 in which Beasley provided insiders with advance information about his intended in-game performance. Co-conspirators then placed prop bets — wagers based on individual player statistics such as points or rebounds — to profit from that knowledge.
Charging documents describe coordination in which guidance about whether Beasley would meet or fall short of a statistical betting line was passed to bettors, who routed wagers through sportsbooks to capitalize on the information.
Timeline of games cited in the indictment
The indictment lists specific games prosecutors say supported their case:
• Jan. 26, 2024 — vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Prosecutors say Beasley told a co-defendant he planned to underperform in rebounds. Co-conspirators allegedly bet the “under”; Beasley finished with three rebounds, one fewer than the line, according to the charging papers.
• Feb. 27, 2024 — vs. Charlotte Hornets: The filing references alleged advance information about Beasley’s expected points or rebounds for this game.
• March 10, 2024 — vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Prosecutors cite communication about his anticipated performance before the matchup.
Federal charges explained
Prosecutors brought multiple counts. In plain terms:
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud: Alleging a plan to use electronic communications and transfers to carry out a fraudulent scheme, such as placing illicit bets across state lines.
Sports bribery: Accusing defendants of providing or receiving benefits to influence or exploit sports events; here, prosecutors say inside information about player performance was used to benefit bettors.
Honest services wire fraud conspiracy: A charge used when defendants are accused of depriving the public or organizations of the honest services owed by fiduciaries — applied here to alleged secret manipulation of performance for profit.
Conspiracy to commit money laundering: Alleging efforts to conceal or process proceeds from illegal activity, including routing bet proceeds to make them appear legitimate.
These are allegations from the indictment and have not been proven in court.
Arrests, arraignment and defense response
Court papers say four defendants were arrested and will be arraigned in Brooklyn. As of Monday, Beasley and Paolo Zamorano were not in custody, according to the filing and press reporting.
Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told reporters the government is coordinating a voluntary surrender this week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, indicating counsel is arranging a planned surrender rather than resisting arrest.
Impact on the NBA and sports betting
The indictment raises questions about the integrity of betting markets and professional league competition. Prosecutors tie the alleged scheme to games played while Beasley was with the Milwaukee Bucks; reporting also notes Beasley last played for the Detroit Pistons in the 2024-25 season.
If proven, allegations that players or agents traded on inside knowledge to alter performances could prompt league discipline, closer team oversight and increased scrutiny from sportsbooks trying to detect suspicious wagering patterns.
What comes next
After arraignment, defendants typically face initial appearances, possible bail hearings, discovery where evidence is exchanged, and pretrial motions. If the case goes to trial, the government must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
With multiple defendants and financial transactions involved, both sides are likely to contest evidence and legal theories. Defense teams commonly argue communications were misinterpreted or that the conduct does not meet legal definitions of bribery or fraud.
Source attribution and reporting notes
This story is based on the indictment filed in the Eastern District of New York and reporting by Fox News. Read the Fox News article here: Fox News — Malik Beasley indicted on federal charges. The indictment and prosecutor statements form the basis of the allegations; those claims are unproven until adjudicated in court.
Charging documents were filed in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. See the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York: usdoj.gov/usao-edny.
Attorney statements about a voluntary surrender were reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2071594666357612990?s=20.
Allegations in the indictment are charges brought by prosecutors and have not been proven in court. The reporting above reflects charging documents and public statements by prosecutors and defense counsel.
