UPDATE: Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has just pleaded not guilty to serious charges linked to a high-stakes poker rigging scandal involving Mafia figures and other former NBA players. Billups, who was arraigned on October 23, 2023, in federal court in Brooklyn, faces two counts: money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
This case has immediate implications for the integrity of professional sports and the reputation of a Hall of Fame player. Prosecutors allege that Billups profited from a sophisticated scheme that defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million since at least 2019, utilizing advanced technology including altered card-shuffling machines and hidden cameras.
During a brief court appearance, Billups, dressed in a dark gray suit, answered only the judge’s yes or no questions. His attorney, Marc Mukasey, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf, asserting Billups’ innocence and character. “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,” said lawyer Chris Heywood after the arraignment.
Billups has been released on a $5 million bond, secured by his family’s home in Colorado. As part of the conditions of his release, he is prohibited from gambling and must avoid contact with co-defendants and alleged victims. He has surrendered his passport and is restricted to travel only in Oregon, New York, and Washington D.C.
The court proceedings reveal a sprawling federal investigation into illegal gambling linked to professional sports. Billups, along with co-defendants including former NBA player Damon Jones, is set to return to court on March 4 for a status conference. The allegations assert that the poker games he was involved in drew wealthy players, with Billups serving as a “face card” to attract them.
Prosecutors have also indicated that plea negotiations are underway with other defendants, although names have not been disclosed. The scheme reportedly relied on organized crime connections, involving the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno families, who ensured the operation’s success through violent means, including extortion and robbery.
Billups, a celebrated figure in the NBA, was drafted third overall in 1997 and is best known for his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” and was named NBA Finals MVP in 2004. Following his retirement in 2014, he transitioned into coaching after a successful career as a TV analyst and was appointed head coach of the Trail Blazers in 2021.
In light of the ongoing legal turmoil, Billups has been placed on unpaid leave, with assistant coach Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach. The unfolding developments raise critical questions about the future of the Trail Blazers and the integrity of basketball amidst allegations of corruption.
As this case progresses, all eyes will be on the courts to see how the charges against Billups and his associates develop. Stay tuned for more breaking updates on this urgent situation.