NEW YORK (AP) — Chauncey Billups, Hall of Famer and head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, is set to appear in Brooklyn federal court to face serious allegations of profiting from rigged poker operations linked to organized crime. The five-time All Star is under scrutiny for his involvement in a scheme that allegedly defrauded victims of approximately $7 million between 2019 and 2020.
Billups's attorney Chris Heywood has vocally defended his client, describing him as a man of integrity who would not jeopardize his legacy for anything as trivial as a card game. Heywood asserted, 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... He would not jeopardize those things for anything.
The federal case emerges from a sweeping crackdown on illegal gambling connected to professional sports, where more than 30 individuals, including Billups, have been charged. The prosecution claims that Billups served as a "face card" to attract wealthy players to the rigged games that reportedly utilized sophisticated technologies for cheating.
Allegations suggest that during some of these illicit games, gang affiliated organizers ensured that participants like Billups were able to draw in vulnerable players, capitalizing on their celebrity status. In one incident cited by prosecutors, Billups allegedly received $50,000 after a rigged game held in October 2020.
The implications of this scandal extend beyond Billups’ immediate legal troubles; they cast a shadow over the NBA, which is under scrutiny to better regulate gambling involvement among players and coaches, especially in light of current events involving other players.
Billups, known for his critical role in the Detroit Pistons' 2004 championship win and his coaching career since retiring as a player, now finds himself at a crossroads. After earlier earning a multi-year extension as coach of the Trail Blazers, he has since been placed on unpaid leave amidst the unfolding investigation. As this story develops, the basketball community watches closely, aware of both the legacy at stake and the warnings it presents about gambling within sports.
