NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups Pleads Not Guilty in Mob Poker Case
Summary
Chauncey Billups, a coach for the Portland Trail Blazers and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to a rigged poker game operation linked to the Mafia. Prosecutors accuse him of money laundering and wire fraud in a scheme involving altered poker equipment and illegal gambling. Billups has been placed on unpaid leave by the Trail Blazers following the indictment.Key Facts
- Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges.
- He appeared in federal court in New York City and is part of a case involving illegal poker games.
- The operation allegedly manipulated poker games with devices like altered card-shuffling machines and X-ray equipped tables.
- The illegal scheme allegedly defrauded victims of around $7 million since at least 2019.
- Billups is accused of being used as a "face card" to attract players, receiving some of the proceeds.
- More than 30 people were charged in the federal takedown of the gambling operations.
- The operation allegedly paid crime families for running poker events in their areas.
- Billups, who joined the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, has been placed on unpaid leave by his team after the charges.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.