UPDATE: Portland Trail Blazers coach and basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups has pleaded not guilty to serious charges linked to a rigged poker scheme involving Mafia figures and at least one former NBA player. Billups, arrested during a major federal crackdown, appeared in a Brooklyn court on October 23, 2023, facing allegations of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, both of which could lead to 20 years in prison.
Officials allege that Billups, 49, participated in a scheme that defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million since 2019. The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of those involved, including former NBA player Damon Jones, who is also facing charges. Billups is accused of serving as a “face card,” attracting wealthy players to illegal games in locations such as Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons.
During the brief arraignment, Billups, dressed in a dark gray suit, answered only yes or no questions from the judge. He has been free on bond since his initial court appearance in Oregon, where the indictment was first announced. His attorney, Chris Heywood, defended Billups, calling him a “man of integrity” and asserting that the charges jeopardize his Hall of Fame legacy.
“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,”
Heywood stated after the arraignment.
Billups’ involvement in this gambling scheme allegedly used sophisticated technology to rig games, including altered card-shuffling machines and hidden cameras. Prosecutors claim that during one poker game, organizers communicated that a victim was “starstruck” and eager to lose money to Billups.
According to prosecutors, Billups received direct payments from the operation, including a $50,000 wire transfer following a rigged game in October 2020. This illicit operation reportedly had ties to the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno Mafia families, who helped enforce debts through violent means, including extortion and assault.
Billups, known for his championship run with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and his nickname “Mr. Big Shot,” has had a storied career in the NBA. Following his retirement in 2014, he transitioned to coaching after a successful stint as a TV analyst. He was hired by the Trail Blazers in 2021 and signed a multiyear extension earlier this year, despite the team missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
In the wake of his indictment, Billups was placed on unpaid leave by the Trail Blazers, with assistant coach Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach. The ongoing legal proceedings are expected to reveal more details about the extent of the gambling operation and its implications for professional sports.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on Billups and his co-defendants, who are scheduled to appear in court for further proceedings. This scandal raises serious questions about integrity in sports and the lengths to which individuals may go for profit.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and watch how it impacts the world of professional basketball.
