A scandal is shaking the Miami Heat organization. Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, of Miami, was formally charged this Tuesday for the alleged theft of more than 400 game-used jerseys, in addition to other high-value sports memorabilia, according to the Attorney General's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

The official statement indicates that Perez, who worked for the NBA team as a security agent between 2016 and 2021, allegedly took advantage of his access to a restricted room where historic jerseys and items that the franchise planned to display in a future museum were stored.

During his time with the team, and later in his role as NBA security in charge of games played in Miami, Perez allegedly stole numerous objects without raising suspicion. Among them are garments worn by stars like LeBron James.

A business hidden for years

According to the investigation, in just three years Pérez managed to sell more than 100 stolen items over the internet, receiving close to two million dollars for them. These products, considered collector's items by sports fans, were sent to buyers in different states across the country.

One of the most relevant cases highlighted by the Prosecutor's Office was the sale of a jersey worn by LeBron James in the NBA Finals. Perez sold it to a middleman for $100,000, who later auctioned it at Sotheby's for a staggering $3.7 million. Authorities are accusing the former employee not only of the theft but also of interstate trafficking in stolen goods. Although the identities of the buyers have not been released, the case remains under investigation and more people may be involved.