Malik Beasley Under Federal Investigation for Alleged Gambling Ties

NBA shooting guard Malik Beasley is currently under investigation by the Eastern District of New York Attorney’s Office over alleged gambling activities in connection to NBA games. The investigation focuses on the 2023-24 season, when Beasley was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Sources familiar with the matter say federal authorities are examining betting patterns from that period. Although no formal charges have been filed, the inquiry has cast a cloud over Beasley’s NBA career and future contracts. His attorney, Steve Haney, has confirmed that he is in communication with prosecutors and maintained that Beasley is cooperating fully. Haney expressed that the player has not been charged and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence under the law.

NBA and Pistons Respond to Ongoing Case

The National Basketball Association has acknowledged the federal investigation and confirmed that it is cooperating with authorities. Mike Bass, a spokesperson for the NBA, said the league is taking the matter seriously but declined to comment further. 

Beasley’s most recent team, the Detroit Pistons, is also aware of the situation. A representative from the team stated that all inquiries should be directed to the NBA and offered no additional comment. Beasley had reportedly been in negotiations with the Pistons on a three-year, $42 million contract. Those discussions have been put on hold as the investigation unfolds.

Spotlight on Betting Integrity in the NBA

This latest development comes amid increased scrutiny of the relationship between professional sports and gambling. Like other major leagues, the NBA has seen a surge in sports betting after it was legalised in numerous U.S. states. This rise has led to increased attention on prop bets, allowing fans to wager on specific outcomes. Beasley is not the first NBA player to be implicated in a gambling-related controversy. Earlier this year, former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was handed a lifetime ban from the league after being found guilty of sharing confidential information with bettors and placing bets on NBA games himself. His case served as a warning and led to renewed discussions about maintaining the sport’s integrity.

Previous Legal History Complicates Beasley’s Case

This is not Beasley’s first brush with the law. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of threats of violence after an incident at his home in Minnesota. The plea led to a 12-game suspension and jail time served following the 2020-21 season. 

While the case is unrelated to gambling, it adds context to the current scrutiny Beasley is facing. The basketball world watches closely as federal authorities continue their investigation.

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