Billups pleads not guilty to rigged poker game charges

NEW YORK — Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other ex-NBA player.

Billups, a five-time All-Star who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in a federal court in Brooklyn on money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors say he was involved in a scheme to rig mob-backed illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons. Others face charges of running an illegal gambling business, robbery conspiracy and extortion conspiracy. Prosecutors said Monday that plea negotiations have begun with some defendants, but did not identify them.

United States District Court Judge Ramon Reyes said that he hopes to bring the sprawling case to trial by next September, telling lawyers to "do what you have to do".

Billups, dressed in a dark grey suit, spoke only to answer yes-or-no questions from the judge. His lawyer, Marc Mukasey, entered his plea. They declined to comment after the hearing. Last month, another Billups lawyer called 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," attorney Christopher Heywood said after Billups first appeared in court on Oct 23, when prosecutors first announced the indictment.

Billups, 49, was released on a $5 million bond secured by his family's Colorado home. He must refrain from gambling, avoid contact with other defendants or alleged victims, surrender his passport and limit travel to seven states, including Oregon and New York and Washington, DC.

Inducted last year into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, Billups was arguably the most prominent among more than 30 people charged in last month's sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports.

Ex-NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also charged in the poker scheme, as well as another separate scheme to enable gamblers exploit insider information about players to win NBA bets that implicated Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.

In addition to Monday's arraignment, Billups and his co-defendants attended a status conference and are due back in court March 4.

Prosecutors say the poker-rigging scheme used altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip trays, special sunglasses and X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards.

They allege the operation defrauded victims of an estimated $7 million starting in at least 2019.

Billups allegedly served as a celebrity "face card" that could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said organizers texted during one game that a victim "acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money" because he was "star struck".

Prosecutors say Billups received a portion of the ill-gotten gains, including a $50,000 wire transfer after a rigged game in October 2020.

Organizers also had to share their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonanno mob families for operating within the illegal poker games run by the New York criminal enterprises, prosecutors said. In return, Mafia members allegedly carried out assault, extortion and robbery to collect debts and protect the operation.

During his NBA career, Billups earned about $106 million. After retiring in 2014, he embarked on a career as a TV analyst before pivoting to coaching.

Billups was selected as the third overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics after starring in college for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played 17 years in the NBA, with stints at the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.

But he is perhaps most beloved in the Motor City, where he earned the nickname "Mr Big Shot" for his knack of scoring in clutch moments.

Billups was named the NBA Finals MVP during the Pistons' title run in 2004 and had his No 1 jersey retired by the team.

He was hired as Portland's coach in 2021 and signed a multiyear extension with the Trail Blazers earlier this year, despite the team missing out on the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Billups previously served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Agencies Via Xinhua