Airport encounter results in NBA player Marcus Morris's arrest for an outstanding casino debt
Marcus Morris, a seasoned NBA player, found himself in hot water recently when he was arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The incident stemmed from an unpaid marker at a casino in Las Vegas, specifically at the MGM Grand and Wynn casinos.
According to reports, Morris had an outstanding sum greater than $1,200, which allowed for the issuance of an arrest warrant. This unpaid marker is considered equivalent to writing a bad check under Nevada law, and the charges filed against Morris included two felony counts: "drawing or passing a check for $1,200 or more with intent to defraud" and theft valued at $100,000 or more.
However, the latest update reveals that Morris settled the matter by wiring nearly $300,000 to cover the debt, leading to the dismissal of the fraud and theft charges against him. He spent over two days in jail before the charges were dropped.
Morris' agent, Yony Noy, dismissed reports that the NBA player was using fake checks and clarified the situation on X. His twin brother, Markieff Morris, also expressed concerns about the escalation of the matter given the details of the case.
Morris, who is 35 years old and currently a free agent in the NBA, having departed the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, has spanned a 13-season career in the league.
It's worth noting that in Nevada, an unpaid marker is treated as seriously as writing a bad check. Penalties for a class D felony in Nevada can include up to four years in prison and/or financial penalties. Casino markers, which are lines of credit extended by casinos and function similarly to checks, carry legal liability when unpaid under Nevada criminal law.
This recent case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unpaid casino markers in Nevada. Despite the resolution of this particular incident, it underscores the importance of understanding the legal implications of such financial obligations.
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Marcus Morris, despite being a skilled NBA player with a lengthy career spanning 13 seasons, found himself in trouble with the law after an unpaid marker at Nevada casinos, specifically the MGM Grand and Wynn casinos. His outstanding debt, amounting to over $1,200, was equivalent to writing a bad check under Nevada law, leading to two felony counts of "drawing or passing a check for $1,200 or more with intent to defraud" and theft valued at $100,000 or more.
