Heat's Rozier faced $8M tax lien from IRS in '23

"The same year Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was alleged to have manipulated his performance in an NBA game as part of gambling schemes, he was facing an $8 million tax lien from the Internal Revenue Service, according to county clerk records obtained by ESPN. The IRS filed the $8,218,211 federal income tax lien in Broward County, Florida, where Rozier has a residence, in November 2023. The lien would have been filed after past due notices were sent to the taxpayer, according to Florida tax attorney Steven N. Klitzner. "It shouldn't be a surprise to them," he said."

"According to a federal indictment unsealed last Thursday, Rozier is accused of providing nonpublic information about his plans to leave a March 2023 game early to a friend, Deniro Laster, who then sold it to bettors for about $100,000. Rozier played just over nine minutes before leaving the game, citing a foot injury. Rozier paid for Laster to travel to Philadelphia to collect the proceeds from the scheme, according to the indictment, before driving to Rozier's home to count the money with him."

"Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, said his client did not owe the IRS the $8.2 million listed on the lien. "Terry never owed anyone $8 million," Trusty told ESPN in a statement Wednesday morning. "He owed $9000 of the total $8 million in taxes from 2021, and it has been paid. We just need the IRS to help remove the now-defunct lien." Trusty did not provide documentation and was not immediately available to answer follow-up questions."

Terry Rozier faced an $8,218,211 federal income tax lien filed in Broward County, Florida, in November 2023. Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, said Rozier did not owe the $8.2 million, that $9,000 from 2021 was paid, and requested removal of the lien. A Florida tax attorney noted liens are typically filed after past-due notices. A federal indictment alleges Rozier provided nonpublic information about plans to leave a March 2023 game early to friend Deniro Laster, who sold it to bettors for about $100,000. Rozier left after just over nine minutes citing a foot injury, paid for Laster to collect proceeds, and counted the money with him.

Read at ESPN.com