Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested on Thursday morning when he was indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged participation in an illegal crime. gamble scheme. This was the result of a wide-ranging gambling investigation that included two separate cases of illegal gambling. sports betting and gambling. Billups was one of three outstanding NBA numbers along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones will be arrested. In total, more than 30 defendants have been charged.
Billups is accused of participating in illegal high-stakes poker games associated with La Cosa Nostra, an organized crime family in New York. According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, these poker games targeted wealthy individuals who were lured by Billups and Jones. Correcting these card games allegedly used specially equipped card shuffling machines, x-ray tables that could read cards face down, and special contact lenses and glasses that could read pre-marked cards.
On Thursday night, Billups' attorney Chris Haywood released a statement on behalf of his client saying the former point guard will fight the charges doggedly.
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows that he is an honest man; honest people do not deceive or deceive others.
To believe that Chauncey Billups did 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. There was no way he would risk these things, let alone a card game.
Furthermore, Chauncey Billups never, ever played basketball, provided inside information, or sacrificed the trust of his team and the League, as doing so would have tarnished the game to which he dedicated his entire life.
Chauncey Billups never backed down. He has no plans to do this now. He will fight these charges with the same tenacity that has marked his 28-year career. We look forward to our day in court.”
As mentioned in Billups' statement you can also link share inside information with players as a coach. He is not named in the indictment in the Rozier case, but the man referred to as “Conspirator 8” matches his description.
NBA Gambling Scandal Explained: What You Need to Know as Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier Arrested and Suspended
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The NBA announced Thursday afternoon that Billups and Rozier were being placed on “immediate leave” from their teams.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal charges announced today,” the league said in a statement. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are taking leave from their teams effective immediately and we will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities. We take these allegations seriously and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
Billups has been the coach of the Trail Blazers since 2021. During his playing days, Billups was a five-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the team. Detroit Pistons in 2004. His No. 1 was retired by the franchise and he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.
