Chauncey Billups Pleads Not Guilty in Rigged Poker Case
UPDATE: Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has just pleaded not guilty to serious charges connected to a rigged poker scheme involving organized crime figures. The Hall of Famer appeared in a federal court in Brooklyn on October 23, 2023, facing accusations of money laundering and wire fraud, each carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence.
The allegations suggest that Billups profited from illegal poker games backed by the Mafia across major cities, including Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons. Prosecutors claim he acted as a “face card” to lure unsuspecting wealthy players into these games, which employed sophisticated cheating methods, including altered card-shuffling machines and hidden cameras.
Billups, 49, was released on a $5 million bond secured by his family’s home in Colorado. He has been ordered to refrain from gambling, avoid contact with co-defendants, and surrender his passport, limiting his travel to just seven states, including Oregon and New York.
In a hearing that captured immediate attention, U.S. District Court Judge Ramon Reyes emphasized the need to move forward with the case, expressing hope for a trial by next September. Billups spoke minimally during the arraignment, answering only yes-or-no questions, while his attorney, Marc Mukasey, formally entered the plea.
Prosecutors revealed that the implicated poker-rigging operation defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million since at least 2019. Billups allegedly received a $50,000 wire transfer following a rigged game in October 2020. The operation had ties to notorious mob families, including the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno families, who are believed to have provided protection in exchange for a share of the profits from the games.
Billups’ situation has drawn significant media coverage, with his lawyer previously labeling him a “man of integrity” who denies all allegations. The lawyer argued that it is unfathomable that Billups would jeopardize his Hall of Fame legacy and reputation for such activities.
In addition to Billups, several others have been charged in this sweeping federal investigation, including former NBA player Damon Jones and Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat. They are accused of providing insider information to gamblers, further complicating the already intricate case.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Billups, who earned approximately $106 million during his NBA career, is navigating a turbulent transition from a celebrated player and coach to a figure embroiled in serious criminal allegations. Following his arrest, he was placed on unpaid leave, while the Trail Blazers appointed assistant coach Tiago Splitter as interim head coach.
The next court status conference is set for March 4, 2024. As this story develops, the sports world watches closely, questioning the implications for Billups’ career and the integrity of professional basketball. The ramifications of this case extend beyond Billups, raising concerns about illegal gambling’s influence on sports.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
