20 people charged in connection to sweeping basketball game fixing scandal
Federal prosecutors secured indictments against 20 people accused of rigging college basketball games in America and pro hoops contests in China, according to court papers unsealed in Philadelphia on Thursday.
The suspects face a slew of charges that include alleged bribery in sports, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aiding and abetting.
The suspects include several former college basketball players: Alberto Laureano, Arlando Arnold, Simeon Cottle, Kevin Cross, Bradley Ezewiro, Shawn Fulcher, Carlos Hart, Markeese Hastings, Cedquavious Hunter, Oumar Koureissi, Da’Sean Nelson, Demond Robinson, Camian Shell, Dyquavion Short, Airion Simmons and Jalen Terry.
Trainers Jalen Smith and Roderick Winkler and “high-stakes sports gamblers” Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen were also named in the indictments.
This sweeping FBI investigation marks the latest gambling scandal to rock high-level U.S. sports.
NBA journeyman Terry Rozier was arrested on Oct. 23 and accused of conspiring with gamblers to pass on insider knowledge for wagers.
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were arrested in November and accused of working with gamblers to bet on individual pitches they threw during games.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
David K. Li and Isabel Yip contributed.
