Marcus Morris Denies Fraud, Blames Mixup for $260K Casino Debt Arrest

NBA veteran Marcus Morris Sr. is out of jail after his Florida arrest over alleged unpaid casino debts in Las Vegas. 

The 35-year-old free agent forward was arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport on Sunday and jailed while awaiting extradition to Nevada for two arrest warrants from March and June on felony counts for drawing or passing a check for $1,200 or more with the intent to defraud and theft valued at $100,000 or more. 

Morris is accused by Nevada authorities of writing more than $260,000 of bad checks to the MGM Grand and Wynn hotels in May and June 2024, according to arrest documents. 

Morris was denied bond at a Tuesday hearing, but was no longer listed as an inmate in Broward County records Wednesday. He posted about the situation on social media Wednesday morning. In the post, he admitted to taking out casino markers and not immediately paying the money back for them, but never would have done so if he knew he was committing a crime. He denied writing any fraudulent checks.

“No mistakes on my behalf just didn’t think that was possible,” Morris wrote. “More of a [lesson] learned…You cant spend markers outside of the casino. No money was exchanged or taken from any casino and into my pocket. You spend that money there if you don’t know how it works. Last thing, I never wrote a check at any point to a casino. When u get a marker that’s considered a check which I didn’t know.  We could’ve handled this MOB style in the back room at the casinos lol. But seriously though never been a FRAUD or participated in no fraud shit.”

Morris played for eight teams across 13 years, last appearing in a game for the Cavaliers in 2024. His career earnings are roughly $107 million, according to Spotrac. 

Morris admitted to gambling and having “a mansion” at both casinos in his Instagram post. He said he paid the money back and the matter is settled, but as of Wednesday morning, both felony counts remain active in the Las Vegas Township Justice Court. 

Both Markieff Morris—his twin brother on the Lakers—and their agent Yony Noy called the charges overblown. 

“Just so everyone understands this is zero fraud here or whatever crap outlets have said regarding fake checks or whatever the hell,” Noy wrote. “This is due to an outstanding marker with a casino. Apparently if you have over $1,200 they can issue a warrant for your arrest. Absolute insanity!’

“The wording is crazy,” Markieff Morris said. “Damn for that amount of money they’ll embarrass you in the airport with your family. They got y’all really thinking bro did some fraud shit. They could have came to the crib for all that. When y’all hear the real story on this shit man. All I can say is Lesson learned. Bro will tell y’all tomorrow. This weird shit gave me a headache. Can’t stop nothin!”

Noy was unable to be reached for comment. The Clark County District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.