Chauncey Billups Pleads Not Guilty in Alleged Mafia-Linked Gambling Scheme
A federal court in New York City saw former NBA player and current Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups enter a plea of not guilty on Monday to charges of money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy. The allegations center around a scheme to rig high-stakes poker games with ties to multiple mafia families, potentially jeopardizing the Hall of Famer’s celebrated career.
Billups, 49, was arraigned on charges carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The indictment alleges a conspiracy to run an illegal gambling business and engage in extortion, implicating over 30 individuals in a sprawling federal takedown of illicit operations connected to professional sports.
The coach’s attorney, Chris Heywood, vehemently defended his client, stating, “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. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game.” Heywood made the statement following Billups’ initial court appearance in Portland, Oregon, on October 23rd.
According to prosecutors, the scheme involved rigging poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons, utilizing sophisticated technology to defraud victims of an estimated $7 million, beginning in 2019. This technology reportedly included altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras within poker chip trays, specialized sunglasses, and even X-ray equipment embedded in the table to reveal cards.
Billups is accused of acting as a “face card,” leveraging his celebrity status to attract high-net-worth individuals to the rigged games. During one instance, prosecutors allege that organizers exchanged messages noting a victim “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” due to being “starstruck.” The government claims Billups received a portion of the illicit profits, citing a $50,000 wire transfer following a rigged game in October 2020.
The alleged conspiracy extends beyond Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones, who was also arrested in connection with the scheme. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier faces separate charges related to exploiting insider information for NBA game betting. Furthermore, prosecutors assert that organizers shared proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno crime families in exchange for operating within their sphere of influence. These families, in turn, allegedly used violence – including assault, extortion, and robbery – to enforce debts and maintain the operation’s success.
Billups’s illustrious 17-year NBA career included stints with the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers. He achieved his greatest success with the Detroit Pistons, earning the nickname “Mr. Big Shot” and being named the 2004 NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons later retired his No. 1 jersey. After retiring in 2014, Billups transitioned to broadcasting before entering the coaching ranks.
He was appointed head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 and recently signed a multiyear contract extension, despite the team’s four consecutive playoff misses. Following his arrest, Billups was placed on unpaid leave, with assistant coach Tiago Splitter assuming the role of interim coach.
The case is ongoing, with other defendants expected to appear in Brooklyn court to discuss next steps. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for Billups’s career and legacy, casting a shadow over the accomplishments of a celebrated figure in basketball history.
