Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have opened a criminal investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers over allegations of salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, multiple outlets reported. The probe was initiated one week after the NBA punished the franchise.

The Brooklyn-based U.S. Department of Justice office overseeing the investigation is the same office that prosecuted former NBA referee Tim Donaghy and is handling the gambling probe involving Chauncey Billups, Yahoo Sports reported.

The investigation represents an escalation of legal trouble for the franchise beyond the NBA's own disciplinary actions. It remains unclear from available reporting what specific charges or violations federal prosecutors are examining or what additional penalties the team might face.