Longtime NBA player Marcus Morris apprehended at an airport due to an unpaid gambling debt.
NBA Player Marcus Morris Arrested for Unpaid Casino Markers
NBA veteran Marcus Morris Sr. found himself in legal trouble after being arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. The arrest was due to an outstanding warrant for an unpaid casino marker case in Las Vegas.
According to reports, Morris, who is 35 years old, has been charged with passing a check with the intent to defraud and theft valued at $100,000 or more. The unpaid marker case is categorized as a class D felony in Nevada, a charge that carries penalties including up to four years in prison and/or financial penalties.
The incident involved unpaid casino markers totaling over $260,000 at the MGM Grand and Wynn hotels in Las Vegas from May and June 2024. Morris, however, denies any fraudulent intent, stating that he took out casino markers but did not realize the legal implications of delayed repayment. He claims to have since paid off the debt and insists no money was pocketed or stolen.
Yony Noy, Morris' agent, spoke about the incident, stating that there is no fraud involved in the case. Noy also dismissed reports that Morris was using fake checks.
Marcus Morris is a 13-season veteran in the NBA. He departed from the Cleveland Cavaliers last year and is currently a free agent. As of the current situation, there is no public information suggesting he is currently signed or playing professionally while dealing with these charges.
His twin brother, Markieff Morris, also an NBA player, expressed dissatisfaction about the escalation of the matter given the details of the case.
Under Nevada law, an unpaid marker is considered equivalent to writing a bad check. The Clark County District Attorney's office has not publicly commented on potential penalties yet. Morris spent 51 hours in jail under harsh conditions before his release, following his initial denial of bail.
Morris has been making appearances on ESPN's "First Take" during this time, discussing various topics in the sports world but not addressing the legal issue directly.
[1] ESPN [2] NBC Sports [3] CBS Sports [4] Sports Illustrated
The arrest of NBA player Marcus Morris Sr. is gaining attention in the general-news sphere, as the sports world, specifically crime-and-justice sections, report on his legal troubles. In Las Vegas, Morris has been charged with a class D felony, including charges of passing a check with the intent to defraud and theft valued at over $100,000, due to unpaid casino markers totaling over $260,000 at MGM Grand and Wynn hotels. Despite these charges, Morris asserts that he had no fraudulent intent and has since paid off his debt.
