Poker Writer
A federal judge has set trial dates for former NBA coach Chauncey Billups and others who were indicted for running rigged poker games last October. Trials for the suspects will begin November 2nd. The allegations against Billups stemmed from an FBI investigation into sports betting match manipulation, which eventually expanded to include the allegedly fraudulaent poker games. All 31 of the defendants appeared for a status hearing at the United States Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York.
Federal prosecutors are expected to extend plea offers to as many as 12 defendants within the coming days. But it is unclear whether Billups, who has been living in the Denver area since being released on $5 million bail, is among those considering a plea deal. He has been on unpaid administrative leave from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he had been head coach.
The last hearing was on Nov. 24th, and the defendants have been reviewing the evidence since then.
Rigged Poker Games
The trial will take place nearly a year after Billups and others pleaded not guilty to charges related to allegedly rigged poker games. According to the FBI, Billups and other NBA legends colluded with four mafia families to steal $7 million from victims who participated in poker games.
The court brief submitted Tuesday, evidence included body-worn camera footage along with records of the defendant’s arrests. There was also electronic evidence seized from seven electronic devices and Apple iCloud accounts.
One of the poker games took place at 147 Lexington Ave. in Manhattan. The court also had 800 pages of surveillance footage and pole camera footage from that location.
Billups is charged with money laundering and wire fraud in a stunning downfall from a once-respected position in the basketball world.
Others Involved
Beyond Billups, Damon Jones was the most high-profile name associated with this poker scandal. Meanwhile, Terry Rozier was not connected to the poker side of the scandal, but rather to fixing the outcomes of prop bets tied to his performance. Rozier intentionally pulled out of games to ensure the outcome of bets.
The full list of 31 defendants from the October arrests includes members of several mafia organizations.
Image: Erik Drost via Wikicommons Media (license)
