In brief
Chauncey Billups, a renowned NBA player and current coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, is set to be arraigned in New York federal court on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors allege he was involved in a gambling scheme associated with Mafia figures, defrauding victims of approximately $7 million. Billups denies the charges, claiming his reputation and legacy are at stake. The case reflects broader concerns about illegal gambling practices within professional sports.
NEW YORK (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers coach and basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups is set to appear in a New York court to face charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other former NBA player.
The five-time All Star, who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, will be arraigned in Brooklyn federal court Monday on money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges.
Chris Heywood, his attorney, has stated that Billups is a 'man of integrity' who denies all allegations. 'To believe that Chauncey would jeopardize his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom for a card game is absurd,' Heywood said after Billups appeared in federal court in Portland, Oregon, where prosecutors first announced the indictment on October 23.
Billups is among over 30 individuals charged in a recent federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. Other defendants are also expected in court for discussions on case developments.
Prosecutors claim that Billups' involvement included participation in a scheme that rigged Mafia-backed poker games across various locations, including Manhattan, Las Vegas, and Miami, leading to an estimated $7 million in losses for victims since at least 2019. Billups reportedly served as a ‘face card’ to attract wealthy players, benefiting financially from the scheme.
The scheme allegedly involved sophisticated technology to rig games, such as altered card shuffling machines and hidden cameras.
Billups, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame last year, is facing serious implications regarding his career and legacy, as more details about the allegations unfold.
