Former NBA star and Portland Trail Blazers head coach, Chauncey Billups, is facing serious charges of involvement in rigged poker games with Mafia members and another ex-NBA player. Billups, a renowned Hall of Famer who secured an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons, is set to appear in a New York court to address accusations of money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy.
Billups, known for his integrity and stellar reputation, vehemently denies the charges brought against him. His attorney, Chris Heywood, asserts that Billups would never jeopardize his legacy for any illicit activity, especially a high-stakes card game.
The case is part of a widespread federal crackdown on illegal gambling activities linked to professional sports, with Billups being a prominent figure among over 30 individuals charged. Prosecutors claim the scheme orchestrated by Billups defrauded victims of approximately $7 million, utilizing sophisticated techniques such as altered card-shuffling machines and hidden cameras.
Aside from Billups, former NBA player Damon Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were also implicated in separate gambling schemes. The operations allegedly involved insider information about NBA games and duped unsuspecting players out of significant amounts of money.
Billups’ involvement allegedly included acting as a celebrity attraction to lure wealthy players to the rigged games, for which he received a share of the illicit profits. The prosecutors highlighted exchanges between the scheme’s organizers discussing victims being star-struck and willingly parting with money to Billups.
Despite his basketball prowess and esteemed career, which includes being NBA Finals MVP in 2004 and having his jersey retired by the Pistons, Billups now finds himself entangled in a legal battle that could tarnish his legacy.