Chauncey BILLUPS, the suspended Portland Trail Blazers’ coach, appeared in a New York federal courthouse on Monday to be arraigned in a criminal case accusing him of illegal gambling. Hall of Famer Billups has pleaded not-guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering stemming from the alleged involvement of rigged poker matches tied to mafia. Billups was granted bail of $5 million by the Brooklyn courthouse judge. The charges are punishable with up to 20 years in prison. Billups’ Colorado house was used as collateral. His wife and daughter also signed the bond. Billups, one of 31 defendants involved in the case, is among NBA players arrested by the FBI as part of its investigation into illegal gambling. Last month, authorities also arrested former NBA player Damon Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier for their alleged criminal acts. Billups was accused of tricking high-networth individuals to play rigged poker. The games used rigged machines to shuffle cards, X ray tables which could read the face-down cards as well as contact lenses and glasses that were used to read premarked poker cards.
Billups, who was not named as an illegal sports better in the indictment, may have been involved with sharing insider information to bettors. Billups’ lawyer described him as a man of integrity and denied the allegations.Chris Heywood stated that “to believe Chauncey billups committed the crimes that the federal government accuses him of, is to believe he’d risk his reputation, his freedom, and his legacy in his hall of fame.” He would never risk those things, even for a simple card game.
“Furthermore Chauncey would never have gambled or provided insider info on basketball matches, or compromised the trust of the League and his team, as that would bring discredit to the sport he’s dedicated his entire career to.The NBA suspended Billups and Tiago splitter continued to serve as interim head coach during his absence. Damon Jones pleads guiltyJones on Nov. 6, pleaded no guilt to two charges stemming his involvement in gambling scandal. The former player was freed on $200,000…
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2025-11-24 17:34:49
