Marves Fairley pleaded guilty Thursday (May 28) in federal court in Brooklyn, a major development in the widening sports betting investigation that has drawn in gamblers, intermediaries and former NBA figures.
During a change-of-plea hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo, Fairley entered guilty pleas to two counts in the NBA case and five counts in a separate suit, including sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. In the latter case, he admitted to placing wagers and recruiting and bribing college basketball players to underperform in games in a separate NCAA point-shaving case brought by federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman appeared for the government, while Eric Siegle represented Fairley.
Court records show Fairley was sworn in before entering the pleas. The court determined he was competent, understood the charges and consequences, and entered the pleas knowingly and voluntarily. The court also found an independent factual basis supporting the pleas and recommended that they be accepted.
Earlier in the day, Fairley signed a consent form agreeing to have the plea proceeding conducted by Marutollo rather than a district judge. In that filing, he acknowledged that “I will suffer no prejudice if I refuse to consent.” The document also stated that if consent were withheld, “the District Court Judge assigned rather than the Magistrate Judge will conduct the plea allocution.”
Fairley pleads guilty as the NBA betting case continues to expand
Federal prosecutors allege Fairley was part of a network that obtained non-public information about basketball games and player availability before placing wagers.
According to an October 2025 indictment, Fairley, also known as “Vez,” “Vezino” and “Vezino Locks,” was among six defendants charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Investigators say confidential information involving NBA players and games was shared among bettors and associates before it became public.
The case has touched several prominent names. Prosecutors have described alleged activity involving former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier and former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. Separate reporting and court filings have also linked former NBA player Damon Jones to allegations that he sold or attempted to sell non-public injury information.
Court documents cited by prosecutors reference insider information shared about Lakers star LeBron James and Anthony Davis. In one alleged exchange, a participant wrote, “Hit me asap got one for u dude say he got some info,” before information was passed along to Fairley. Another payment allegedly carried the message, “fee.”
The indictment also quotes messages that prosecutors say were exchanged among participants, including, “I lost that s*** on [Betting Company 1] ima give you a lite sack when I see u.” Another cited communication stated, “Address for wire.”
The wider investigation continues to evolve. On Thursday, prosecutors filed additional charges against Rozier, alleging he accepted a bribe connected to a March 2023 game exit that allowed bettors to profit from proposition wagers. Rozier has denied wrongdoing and continues to fight the case.
Fairley’s sentencing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall on February 24, 2027, at 10 a.m. in Brooklyn federal court. His attorney said Fairley “deeply regrets and is ashamed of his conduct.”
Featured image: Marves Fairley via TikTok / Canva