NBA’s Chauncey Billups pleads not responsible in rigged poker video games case : NPR

NEW YORK — Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, pleaded not responsible Monday to expenses he profited from rigged poker video games involving a number of Mafia figures and not less than one different ex-NBA participant.

Billups, a five-time All Star who received a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in a federal court docket in Brooklyn on cash laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy expenses, every carrying a most sentence of 20 years in jail.

Prosecutors say he was involving a scheme to rig mob-backed unlawful poker video games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons. Others face expenses of operating an unlawful playing enterprise, theft conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. Prosecutors mentioned Monday that plea negotiations have begun with some defendants however didn’t determine them.

U.S. District Court Judge Ramon Reyes mentioned he hopes to convey the sprawling case to trial by subsequent September, telling legal professionals to “do what you have to do.”

Billups, wearing a darkish gray swimsuit, spoke solely to reply yes-or-no questions from the choose. His lawyer, Marc Mukasey, entered his plea. They declined to remark after the listening to. Last month, one other Billups lawyer known as him a “man of integrity” who denies 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,” legal professional Chris Heywood mentioned after Billups first appeared in court docket on Oct. 23, when prosecutors first introduced the indictment.

Billups, 49, was launched on a $5 million bond secured by his household’s Colorado dwelling. He should chorus from playing, keep away from contact with different defendants or alleged victims, give up his passport and restrict journey to seven states, together with Oregon and New York, and Washington, D.C.

Inducted final yr into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, Billups was arguably essentially the most outstanding amongst greater than 30 individuals charged in final month’s sprawling federal takedown of unlawful playing operations linked to skilled sports activities. Also charged are ex-NBA participant and assistant coach Damon Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who prosecutors say schemed with others to let gamblers exploit insider details about gamers to win NBA bets.

In addition to Monday’s arraignment, Billups and his co-defendants attended a standing convention and are due again in court docket March 4.

Prosecutors say the poker-rigging scheme used altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip trays, particular sun shades and X-ray gear constructed into the desk to learn playing cards. They allege the operation defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million beginning in not less than 2019.

Billups allegedly served as a star “face card” that might draw rich, unsuspecting gamers to the video games. Prosecutors mentioned organizers texted throughout one recreation {that a} sufferer “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” as a result of he was “star struck.”

Prosecutors say Billups obtained a portion of the ill-gotten positive aspects. together with a $50,000 wire switch after a rigged recreation in October 2020.

Organizers additionally needed to share their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mob households for working inside the unlawful poker video games run by the New York felony enterprises, prosecutors mentioned. In return, Mafia members allegedly carried out assault, extortion and theft to gather money owed and defend the operation.

During his NBA profession, Billups earned about $106 million. After retiring in 2014, he launched into a profession as a TV analyst earlier than pivoting to teaching.

Billups was chosen because the third total choose within the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after starring in school for the Colorado Buffaloes. He performed 17 years within the NBA, with stints with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.

But he’s maybe most beloved within the Motor City, the place he earned the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” for his knack of constructing clutch pictures.

Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP throughout the Pistons’ title run in 2004 and had his No. 1 jersey retired by the staff.

He was employed as Portland’s coach in 2021 and signed a multiyear extension with the Trail Blazers earlier this yr after the staff missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2024. Billups beforehand served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers.

After his arrest, he was positioned on unpaid depart and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach and former NBA participant Tiago Splitter as interim coach.