New York, US (EFE).- Chauncey Ray Billups, Portland Trail Blazers coach and NBA Hall of Famer, pleaded not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering during a Monday hearing in New York.
Billups attended the hearing in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, where his lawyer, Marc Mukasey, entered the plea on his behalf before Judge Ramon Reyes during the brief session.
The former NBA player, the Blazers’ head coach since 2021, and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier were arrested on Oct. 23 by US authorities for illegal NBA betting.
He previously played with the Detroit Pistons, was suspended from the league after his arrest and faces up to 20 years in prison.
His defense stated that to consider Chauncey Billups’ involvement in what the federal government accuses him of is to believe that he would put his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom at risk.
According to the indictment, Billups was part of a ring that manipulated illegal, mafia-backed poker games in Manhattan, the Hamptons, Las Vegas, and Miami.
The FBI claimed that the mafia organized rigged poker games and that Billups helped attract players.
About 30 others appeared in court to hear the accusations against them for illegal betting. This scheme began in 2019 and raised over 7 million dollars through rigged games, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office,
The office also informed the judge that they have begun conversations to reach a plea agreement, though no formal offer has been made.
There are accusations related to poker games, as well as betting on basketball games.
“Although it is too early for the government and any of the defendants to engage in substantial plea negotiations, the government and defense counsel for several defendants have begun productive discussions that the government hopes will ultimately lead to resolutions as to several defendants without the need for a trial,” prosecutors stated in the filings.
Several alleged mafia members attended the hearing, and prosecutors claimed that many of the manipulated poker games were backed by mafia families, according to CBS.
Those accused in this case include former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.
Rozier has been under suspicion after placing a series of irregular bets before the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans in 2023, when he was with the former team (Charlotte Hornets). EFE
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