Former NBA player Marcus Morris was arrested on Tuesday for a serious fraud charge. He is accused of writing two bad checks totaling $265,000 at casinos in Las Vegas. According to news reports from KLAS and TMZ, Morris received $150,000 from the Wynn Hotel and Casino in June 2024. He also gave checks worth $115,000 to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in May.
Morris, who has also worked as a guest analyst on ESPN, was arrested on Sunday at a Florida airport. He was wanted in Nevada and will be sent back to Las Vegas, according to court documents from Clark County.
A 35-year-old American has been charged with writing and using a check without enough money in the account, intending to cheat over $1,200. He’s also facing a theft charge for an amount of $100,000 or more.
Although he didn’t play last season, Marcus Morris played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2011 to 2024. He was part of teams like Houston, Phoenix, Detroit, Boston, New York, the LA Clippers, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. Over his career, he averaged 12 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
His twin brother, Markieff Morris—who played for the LA Lakers last season—spoke out on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “The wording is wild. For that much money, they’ll embarrass you in front of your family at the airport.”
He also said, “They’re making it look like he committed fraud… They could’ve just come to the house instead.”
Marcus’s agent, Yony Noy, called the whole situation “crazy” and explained on X: “There’s no fraud here at all. This is just about an unpaid casino debt. If it’s more than $1,200, a warrant can be issued.”
FAQ
Why was Marcus Morris arrested?
Marcus Morris was arrested due to a charge of writing and passing a check without sufficient funds, along with a theft charge involving over $100,000.
What exactly are the charges against him?
He faces one count of drawing and passing a bad check with intent to defraud for more than $1,200, and a separate felony theft charge.
Is Marcus Morris accused of committing fraud?
Despite the wording of the charges, Morris’s agent has stated that the situation does not involve fraud. The issue stems from an unpaid casino debt.
What was Marcus Morris’s response to the situation?
Morris has not directly commented, but his twin brother Markieff Morris called the situation unfair and criticized how it was handled publicly.