Federal authorities are investigating former Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley’s alleged involvement in wire fraud, gambling, and illegal prop betting, according to ESPN.
The allegations stem from Beasley’s time playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-2024 season, sources told the outlet, with the focus on “unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley’s statistics” starting in January 2024. A gambling industry source shared that one or more prominent U.S. sportsbooks noticed the activity.
The 18-month investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Beasley’s lawyer Steve Haney told The Detroit News.
“It’s a gambling investigation involving Malik. No criminal charges have been issued. It’s nothing but an investigation and Malik is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” Haney said, per the outlet.
The investigation has reportedly resulted in the Pistons withdrawing a three-year, $42 million contract offer to Beasley.
While on the court, it appeared Beasley was fairing well. The free agent has played for six teams throughout his nine-career in the NBA and has earned nearly $60 million, including his recent one-year, $6 million deal with the Pistons, according to Spotrac. However, behind the scenes, a different story unfolded.
In April 2025, Hazan Sports Management Group Inc. sued Beasley, alleging he failed to repay a $650,000 cash advance for marketing revenue from using his name, image, and likeness.
Hazan made “a substantial investment of time, effort, and resources in a player with known issues (including and especially financial issues)…when they took him on as a client and provided him with a substantial marketing advance in anticipation of helping Beasley become one of the premier players at his position,” the lawsuit reads, per The Detroit News.
The company added that when Beasley allegedly fired the firm, “…(Hazan) made several attempts to collect the full amount of the marketing advance but received little more than drips and drabs of sporadic payments and vague promises to repay the balance over time.”
The firm is now seeking a minimum of $2.5 million, alleging that he failed to uphold their contract agreement.
Additional claims against Beasley include a lawsuit from The Stott apartments, stating he owes $7,355 in unpaid rent, as well as a $26,827 judgment won by a celebrity barbershop, Cairo Cuts, that provided him with a loan. Dentist Hassan Alshehabi of Delicate Smiles also won a $34,390 default judgment against Beasley related to a loan.
The Detroit News reports Beasley’s financial troubles total more than $8 million.
“I have been with Malik for a long time, I have seen a lot of people around him come and go, but I have stayed away from any of his financial management or mismanagement or decisions he would make with money,” Haney told the outlet.
Haney clarified that he doesn’t handle his client’s finances and noted that while his goal is to connect his clients with top business experts, it’s ultimately the client’s decision to seek guidance.
