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Marves Fairley pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn claim the Mississippi-based sports handicapper bought inside information on former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s deliberate underperformance in a 2023 game
A Carson, Mississippi-based sports handicapper has plead guilty to bribing players and buying inside information in two federal cases.
Marves Fairley pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a professional basketball betting case.
At least nine sportsbooks in 13 states and one Canadian province detected unusual betting activity last year and contacted authorities.
According to court documents, some customers opened new sportsbook accounts or reemerged after weeks of inactivity to place larger-than-normal or multiple consecutive wagers on the first-half spreads of games, the records show.
Fairley was accused at the time by one sportsbook of having been the mastermind behind the syndicate. On his social media accounts, Fairley referred to himself as "#1 Sports Betting Consultant". He markets himself under brands like Vezino Locks LLC.
SI.com had previously reported on a possible connection between Fairley and a college basketball point shaving scheme that ensnared former NBA player Jontay Porter.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn claim Fairley bought inside information on former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s deliberate underperformance in a 2023 game, as well as on Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James’ and Anthony Davis’ nonpublic medical status, according to the indictment.
“I agreed to pay a player to change their game performance to give me an advantage,” Fairley said, appearing solemn throughout the hearing.
Prosecutors are expected to file new charges of sports bribery and honest services wire fraud against Rozier, who was charged alongside Fairley last year in the sprawling indictment.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
