UPDATE: Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has just pleaded not guilty to serious charges stemming from a major illegal poker scheme involving organized crime figures. The Hall of Famer was arraigned in Brooklyn on federal charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy related to rigged poker games that reportedly defrauded victims of up to $7 million.
This urgent case, which is shaking the sports world, includes allegations that Billups, a five-time All-Star and NBA champion, acted as a “face card” to attract wealthy players to mob-backed games across Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons. Prosecutors have outlined a detailed scheme that employed advanced technology like altered card-shuffling machines and hidden cameras to manipulate outcomes.
Billups, 49, was released on a $5 million bond secured by his family’s home in Colorado and is restricted from gambling or contacting co-defendants. He must also surrender his passport and can only travel to select states, including Oregon and New York. Alongside Billups, other implicated individuals, including former NBA player Damon Jones, face various charges related to illegal gambling operations.
During the brief arraignment, Billups, dressed in a dark gray suit, answered only yes or no to the judge’s questions. His attorney, Marc Mukasey, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. Following the hearing, one of Billups’ lawyers emphasized his integrity, stating, “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom.”
This case emerged from a federal crackdown on illegal gambling linked to professional sports, which saw over 30 individuals charged. Prosecutors have indicated that plea negotiations are underway with some defendants, but specifics remain undisclosed. U.S. District Court Judge Ramon Reyes expressed a desire to expedite the case, urging attorneys to prepare for trial by next September.
Billups, who earned around $106 million during his illustrious NBA career, reportedly received direct payments from the scheme, such as $50,000 wired after a rigged game in October 2020. The prosecutors allege that the operation was intertwined with notorious mafia families, including the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno, who enforced repayment of debts through violent means.
Billups was drafted third overall in the 1997 NBA draft and is most celebrated for his pivotal role in the Detroit Pistons 2004 championship run, where he was named NBA Finals MVP. After retiring in 2014, he transitioned to coaching and was appointed head coach of the Trail Blazers in 2021. Following his indictment, he has been placed on unpaid leave, with assistant coach Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach.
The next court appearance for Billups and his co-defendants is scheduled for March 4, where further developments in this high-profile case are expected. As this story unfolds, the implications for Billups, his legacy, and the broader sports community remain critical points of focus. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
