Chauncey Billups, coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, pleaded not guilty this Monday to charges that he benefited from rigged poker games. Mafia figures and, according to the prosecution, at least one other former NBA player participated in those games. The case has garnered significant media attention due to the coach's profile; as a player, he was a five-time All-Star and a champion with the Detroit Pistons. The former point guard was arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn on charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. According to prosecutors, Billups was allegedly involved in a scheme that operated illegal gambling with mafia backing in cities such as Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons. Other defendants face charges related to illegal gambling, conspiracy to commit robbery, and extortion. A complex federal case with multiple defendants. Judge Ramon Reyes of the U.S. District Court indicated during the hearing that he expects to bring this extensive case to trial in September. “Do what you have to do,” he told the lawyers as plea negotiations with some of those involved, whose names were not released, continue. Billups, dressed in a dark gray suit, spoke only to answer “yes” or “no” to the judge’s questions. His lawyer, Marc Mukasey, entered the formal plea. Neither offered comment after the hearing. Last month, another of the coach’s lawyers had said that Billups is a “man of integrity” and rejected the allegations. “To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government accuses him of doing is to believe that he would jeopardize his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation, and his freedom,” Chris Heywood said on October 23. The coach was released after posting a $5 million bond, secured by his family home in Colorado. Among the restrictions imposed, he must refrain from playing, maintain distance from defendants and alleged victims,surrender his passport and limit his travel to seven states, including Oregon.

Billups is one of the most prominent figures among the more than 30 people targeted in last month's federal operation. Among those charged are Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, and Terry Rozier, a point guard for the Miami Heat, accused of allegedly helping gamblers exploit insider information. The prosecution maintains that the scheme used modified card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special glasses, and X-ray equipment to read cards, defrauding victims of nearly seven million dollars since 2019. Billups allegedly served as a charismatic figure, attracting wealthy players and even reportedly receiving a $50,000 wire transfer after a rigged game in 2020. According to prosecutors, the organizers shared profits with the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno crime families, who in turn carried out robberies and extortions to protect the operation. After retiring in 2014 with career earnings exceeding $100 million, Billups appeared on television and then entered to the NBA coaching staff. Portland hired him as head coach in 2021 and gave him an extension earlier this year. However, following his arrest, he was suspended without pay and temporarily replaced by Tiago Splitter.