NBA’s Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in rigged poker games case : NPR
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups arrives at Brooklyn Federal Court in New York on Monday.
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NEW YORK — Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, a Basketball Hall of Famer, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he profited from rigged poker games involving several mob figures and at least one other former NBA player.
Billups, a five-time All Star who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors say he was involved in a scheme to rig illegal, mob-backed poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons. Others are accused of running an illegal gaming business, robbery conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. Prosecutors said Monday that plea negotiations had begun with some defendants, but could not identify them.
U.S. District Court Judge Ramon Reyes said he hoped the sprawling case would go to trial by next September, telling attorneys to “do what they have to do.”
Billups, dressed in a dark gray suit, spoke only to answer yes or no questions from the judge. His lawyer, Marc Mukasey, pleaded. They declined to comment after the hearing. Last month, another lawyer for Billups called him “a man of integrity” and denied the allegations.
“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,” attorney Chris Heywood said after Billups’ first court appearance on Oct. 23, when prosecutors first announced the indictment.
Billups, 49, was released on $5 million bail secured by his family’s Colorado home. He must refrain from gambling, avoid contact with other defendants or alleged victims, surrender his passport and limit his travel to seven states, including Oregon and New York, as well as Washington, DC.
Inducted last year into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, Billups was arguably the most prominent among more than 30 people indicted in last month’s sweeping federal crackdown on illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. Also charged are former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who prosecutors say conspired with others to allow gamblers to exploit inside player information to win NBA bets.
In addition to Monday’s arraignment, Billups and his co-defendants attended a status conference and are due back in court March 4.
Prosecutors say the rigged poker scheme used modified card shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip bins, special sunglasses and X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards. They allege the operation defrauded victims of approximately $7 million starting in at least 2019.
Billups allegedly served as a celebrity “face card” that could lure wealthy and unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said organizers sent a text during a match that a victim “acted like she wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star-struck.”
Prosecutors say Billups received a portion of the ill-gotten gains. including a bank transfer of $50,000 after a rigged game in October 2020.
Organizers also had to share their profits with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mafia families for participating in illegal poker games run by New York criminal enterprises, prosecutors said. In exchange, members of the mafia allegedly committed assaults, extortion and theft to collect debts and protect the operation.
Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups (1) goes for the basket between Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (8) and Gary Payton (20) in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 10, 2004.
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During his NBA career, Billups earned approximately $106 million. After retiring in 2014, he embarked on a career as a TV analyst before turning to coaching.
Billups was selected as the third overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after playing in college for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played 17 years in the NBA, with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.
But he’s perhaps most beloved in the Motor City, where he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his knack for making clutch shots.
Billups was named NBA Finals MVP during the Pistons’ 2004 title run and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the team.
He was hired as Portland’s coach in 2021 and signed a multi-year extension with the Trail Blazers earlier this year after the team missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2024. Billups was previously an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.
After his arrest, he was placed on unpaid leave and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach and former NBA player Tiago Splitter as interim coach.
