Former NBA player Malik Beasley pleaded not guilty Wednesday to criminal charges stemming from an alleged sports betting scheme in which prosecutors say he manipulated his on-court appearance to benefit bettors.Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscriptionGet exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.Beasley, 29, who wore a navy suit during the brief arraignment in Brooklyn, acknowledged that he read the indictment and understood the criminal charges filed against him.
He spoke very little, allowing his attorney to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.A magistrate judge released Beasley on a $100,000 bond, with his mother and father co-signing.
The former NBA player is also prohibited from gambling or contacting witnesses and co-defendants.Federal prosecutors alleged that Beasley, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, agreed with another ex-NBA player, Ed Davis, in 2024 to fix his performance in multiple games so Davis and others could place fraudulent wagers on his performance.In exchange, Beasley allegedly accepted bribes, which were used to pay off debts that he owed Davis, according to the indictment.Federal prosecutors said that Davis gave Beasley several loans after he racked up millions in gambling debt, despite earning tens of millions of dollars during his nine-year NBA career.
Prosecutors detailed at least four games where the defendants allegedly schemed to have Beasley manipulate individual game stats for the benefit of gamblers.In one instance, Beasley allegedly told co-defendants to bet on him securing fewer than 3.5 rebounds during the Bucks-Cleveland Cavaliers game on Jan.
6, 2024.He pulled down one board that night.
The illegal gambling ring placed wagers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, including bets amounting to $75,000 with winnings of at least $121,000.Six people, including Beasley and Davis, were charged in the indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud cons...