Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in illegal poker case allegedly linked to mafia

new York — NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty Monday in Brooklyn federal court, nearly a month after he was among dozens of people arrested in a sweeping FBI crackdown on suspected illegal gaming networks. Billups faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

The 49-year-old — who had been head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers until he was suspended by the league in late October following his arrest — appeared alongside 30 other defendants in the sprawling Eastern District courtroom to face charges relating to allegations of cheating in high-stakes poker games hosted by mob figures.

THE elaborate cheating scheme made more than $7 million through rigged games, prosecutors said.

The hearing before United States District Court Judge Ramon Reyes also allows the defendants and their attorneys to update the court on the schedule, progress and deadlines for discovery, filing of motions and settlement negotiations in this complex case.

Prosecutors said plea discussions began, but no formal plea agreement was offered.

There are two federal cases in the crackdown. One focuses on high stakes poker games while the other focuses on sports betting. The second indictment involves bets on NBA basketball games allegedly placed using inside information related to injury reports.

The two indictments have a total of 34 defendants, 31 of whom are charged in the poker case.

Former NBA player Damon Jones was charged in both cases. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month in both indictments and was released on $200,00 bail, secured by his parents’ home in Texas. Jones appeared in court Monday.

The indictment in the sports betting case also ensnared Miami Heat player Terry Rozieraccused of providing non-public information in exchange for a lump sum or a share of the profits. In one particular game, prosecutors say, Rozier told a co-conspirator that he would fake an injury in order to leave a game early. Defendants charged solely under this indictment did not appear in court Monday.

Several alleged mob members appeared in court as prosecutors said many of the ongoing rigged poker games were backed by mafia families. Most of the 31 defendants in the poker case have been released on bail in recent weeks; However, defendants who prosecutors say had close ties to organized crime were not so lucky.

Angelo Ruggiero, Jr., who prosecutors say was a member of the Genovese crime family and organizer of the Washington Place poker game, was bail denied after his lawyer offered him a $5 million bail request. Thomas Gelardo, also known as “Juice,” who prosecutors say is a Bonanno family associate, oversaw the Lexington Avenue poker game and received a cut of the profits, prosecutors say.

Because of the large number of defendants, prosecutors filed a motion last week asking the court to divide the 31 defendants in the poker case into three groups, with each group having 10 to 11 defendants for status conferences for “convenience.” The attorneys opposed the motion, saying the government was trying to “divide and conquer” the defendants.