In brief
Chauncey Billups, coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, is scheduled to appear in a New York federal court on charges of money laundering and conspiracy tied to allegedly rigged poker games. Billups' attorney claims his client is innocent, emphasizing his integrity and Hall of Fame legacy. Prosecutors allege Billups was part of a scheme exploiting illegal poker games backed by organized crime, defrauding victims of $7 million since at least 2019.
NEW YORK (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers coach and basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups is set to appear in a New York court to face charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other former NBA player.
The five-time All Star, who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, will be arraigned in Brooklyn federal court Monday on money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges.
Chris Heywood, his attorney, has said Billups is a “man of integrity” and denies the charges. “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 stated.
Billups was arguably the most prominent name among more than 30 charged in last month’s federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. Billups and the other defendants will likely discuss next steps in their case during Monday’s proceedings.
Prosecutors say the 49-year-old Denver native, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame last year, was involved in a scheme to rig Mafia-backed illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons.
Prosecutors claim Billups served as a celebrity “face card” that attracted wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. They allege the scheme has defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million starting in at least 2019, with Billups receiving portions of the illicit gains.
The poker scheme allegedly used advanced technology to ensure outcomes were rigged, including altered card-shuffling machines and hidden cameras, with mafia families involved in the illegal operations to enforce repayment of debts.
Billups, who played for 17 years in the NBA, is well known for his clutch performances, earning the nickname “Mr. Big Shot.” He is currently on unpaid leave and has been replaced by assistant coach Tiago Splitter as the interim coach of the Trail Blazers.
