Nine-year NBA veteran Malik Beasley has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges originating from a gambling scandal, The Athletic reports.
Beasley will join Jontay Porter as NBA players to plead guilty to federal charges for manipulating their performances during NBA games.
- Porter received a lifetime ban from participating in NBA games
- Beasley allegedly participated in the scheme to pay off a loan from his former teammate, Ed Davis
- Terry Rozier is maintaining his not guilty stance in a similar case
The latest development in the sports betting scandal is part of a plea deal negotiated with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. He will plead guilty in a Brooklyn federal court on Dec. 9.
Beasley was indicted in June for fixing his performances to help known gamblers profit by wagering against his prop betting lines. He originally filed a plea of not guilty.
According to prosecutors, Beasley was given a loan from his teammate, Ed Davis, after he fell into gambling debt. Beasley then participated in the prop betting scheme to pay off his debt to Davis.
A total of six men, including Davis, were indicted for their alleged participation in the scheme. Davis was given four separate charges.
One man, William Brown, also pleaded not guilty to any wrongdoing. Robert Gorodetsky and Ernesto Plascencia also plan to file guilty pleas.
Beasley will admit to fixing performances
Beasley’s charges relate to four games, all of which occurred during the 2023-24 season while he was with the Milwaukee Bucks. He played one more season with the Detroit Pistons in 2024-25 before the scandal came to light.
The games of interest occurred against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 26, 2024, the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 27, 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers on March 10, 2024, and the Brooklyn Nets on March 21, 2024.
Beasley averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game, and 2.8 threes per game on 41.3% shooting for the Bucks. His stats in the games of interest were as follows:
- Jan. 26: three points, three rebounds, one assist, 1-2 3PT (50%)
- Feb. 27: six points, four rebounds, four assists, 2-6 3PT (33.3%)
- March 10: 17 points, four rebounds, one assist, 4-9 3PT (44.4%)
- March 21: 16 points, six rebounds, zero assists, 2-7 3PT (28.6%)
Beasley received nearly $60 million in contract payments while in the NBA. He was set to re-sign with the Pistons on a three-year, $42-million deal after finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, but the team withdrew its offer upon learning that he was under federal investigation.
