Federal prosecutors want Terry Rozier’s childhood friend, De’Niro Laster, back behind bars, claiming he has been actively trying to influence witnesses, even through threats. This isn’t just a minor issue; Rozier’s attorney, David Markus, is calling it a “desperate attempt” by the government to paint the former NBA guard and his associates in a negative light.
Witness Tampering Claims Rock the NBA Gambling Case
Laster was first charged last October in the government’s massive sports betting investigation. The indictment alleges that Rozier, while he was still playing for the Hornets, tipped Laster off that he’d pretend to be hurt and pull himself out of a March 2023 game early. Armed with that intel, Laster then allegedly sold the information to multiple co-conspirators, who then bet the under on several of Rozier’s lines, netting around $100,000. Now, the government says Laster, who has been free on bond, has violated his release conditions. They’ve accused him of obstructing justice and tampering with witnesses, trying to influence their testimony and intimidating them, including through social media posts. Prosecutors made it clear in a heavily redacted 13-page letter to the Eastern District of New York that they shouldn’t have to keep re-investigating someone on bond who is “repeatedly attempting to tamper with the judicial process.”
‘Get More Blessings’ or Something More Sinister?
The alleged interference isn’t new; the letter claims Laster has been trying to mess with the investigation since 2024, long before his arrest. After September 2024, Laster and other co-conspirators supposedly grew suspicious that someone, whose identity is redacted, was cooperating with the government. Social media accounts linked to Laster have even posted the notorious “rat emoji,” which the government stated in its filing “generally refers to a person who is perceived as a snitch, informant, or someone who cooperates with law enforcement or provides information about others to the authorities.”
Adding to the government’s worry is a “crew” called “GMB,” which includes Laster, Rozier, and other friends. Prosecutors say social media photos posted *before* the charges show this group displaying “access to guns,” contributing to concerns about potential threats. Rozier’s attorney, David Markus, pushed back hard on this. He told Front Office Sports that “GMB” actually stands for “Get More Blessings,” the motto of Rozier’s nonprofit, 12 Blessings, which works to empower disadvantaged kids. Markus claims the nickname originated with Terry’s high school basketball team, calling the government’s implication of it being a criminal organization “absurd.” He stressed that Rozier has never faced charges for firearms or witness intimidation. Markus’s take? “In this case, GMB stands for ‘government’s massive blunder.’” With Rozier footing Laster’s legal bills, concerns about a conflict of interest are also swirling. Rozier is set to go to trial, and you can bet everyone will be watching to see how this wild story unfolds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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