The high-stakes gambling world was rocked when a pro boxer going by "A.B." allegedly defrauded the likes of NBA stars out of millions in a fixed dice game until an infamous figure in L.A., Big U, became involved.
According to a confidential informant, this wasn't just a night of what they call the boneyard, rolling some dice; it was a planned setup. According to court documents, in June 2019, "A.B." and his crew set up a high-stakes dice game, using loaded dice to defraud and rob NBA stars. One current NBA All-Star reportedly lost $1.5 million, and another former star was slapped for a jaw-dropping $5 million.
According to reports, after realizing they had been played, the NBA athletes turned to Big U, a longtime rumored gatekeeper in certain L.A. circles, to help them regain their lost money. But his help didn't come without a price. Federal investigators said Big U charged the duped players a steep fee of $100,000 as a service to initiate the return of their stolen money. Several ex-NBA players confirmed to authorities that they'd paid the six-figure amount to Big U to mediate the dispute.
The trajectory didn't simply end with transactions and money changing hands. The FBI was constructing a case against Big U, and a taped confidential informant succeeded in recording him, indicating his involvement in the incident. In an audio recording of a secretly captured meeting from April 2022, Big U described confronting "A.B." about the scheme, eventually compelling the boxer to give back the millions taken.
But this wasn't a one-off event. Big U is accused of operating an extortion racket in which celebrities, athletes, and entertainers had to "check-in" with him when they came to Los Angeles, that is, pay a tax to avoid being harmed or retaliated against by his Rollin' 60s confederates. The investigation found that Big U frequently approved or oversaw significant gambling events, celebrity parties, and other big-money events, making him a shadowy figure in the Los Angeles entertainment world.
Now, Big U is at the heart of a sprawling federal indictment under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). He and 18 other alleged associates, including Sylvester "Vey" Robinson and Mark "Bear Claw" Martin, have been arrested on a variety of charges, including conspiracy and extortion, as well as more serious charges like murder and human trafficking.
FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis didn't pull any punches about the case, saying in a statement that "the lead defendant and others, in this case, have had a little too long getting away with violent acts and stealing money from taxpayers and well-intentioned donors whether it be through the tactics of intimidation or through serving in an influence capacity as allegedly rehabilitated original gangsters."
Although court documents don't officially identify "A.B.," many in the sports and hip-hop communities speculate that the inquirer's boxer could be Adrian Broner. The speculation comes from a previous viral video in which Broner boasts about winning millions from NBA star John Wall in a high-stakes gambling match. Another resurfaced 2019 clip on YouTube even has an associate say that Broner "won over a million gambling in 30 days."
With Big U now incarcerated and on serious charges, the era of high-profile street mediation in L.A. may draw a close. When high-rollers bet against the wrong people, the stakes can be much higher than money.
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