Malik Beasley in Plea Deal Negotiations Over Gambling Charges

Malik Beasley, a former NBA player, is currently negotiating a plea deal with the Department of Justice following his initial not guilty plea to charges of manipulating his game performances in 2024 to benefit sports bettors and alleviate his debts.

In July, Beasley entered his plea in a New York federal court, becoming part of a larger federal investigation into gambling activities that has led to over three dozen arrests. His attorney, Steve Haney, indicated that they expect to reach an agreement soon.

Beasley, along with sports agent Paolo Zamorano, who has also pleaded not guilty, was charged in an indictment that revealed a gambling scandal involving multiple individuals. The indictment alleges that Beasley attempted to fix his performance in at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, receiving bribes from bettors in exchange for altering his performance to meet or defy bookmakers' expectations. Beasley has faced significant financial issues, including a lawsuit resulting in a $1 million judgment against him.