Wearing a gray suit, Billups entered his not-guilty plea on Nov. 24 on federal charges connected to a rigged poker game that had enveloped the attention of the NBA and the rest of the sports world. He's facing money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, both of which carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Billups, 49, appeared at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to plead not guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. He is one a group of 31 defendants that includes current and former NBA players and reputed organized crime associates accused of running insider betting and illegal gambling operations with tentacles reaching into high-stakes poker games and professional basketball games, prosecutors allege.
All 31 suspects in the explosive NBA gambling case were hauled into Brooklyn court Monday, squeezing into the largest courtroom in the building - as the feds hinted at least some may be trying to cut deals. Hoops Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, 49, landed $5 million bail at the federal proceeding, while fellow defendants Sophia "Pookie" Wei, reputed Bonanno crime-family mobster Thomas "Tommy Juice" Gelardo and the rest of the alleged crew tied to the headline-grabbing case were there for status conferences.
As I sat in the Portland Trail Blazers' press room and watched Chauncey Billups answer anodyne questions about if Matisse Thybulle was going to suit up for the Blazers' home opener, no one had any idea that in 12 hours time he was going to be arrested by the FBI for allegedly serving as a front man for Mafia-controlled high stakes poker games designed to cheat players out of their money.
We all know the rules. We all know the letter of the law, and it's just unfortunate. You know, innocent to proven guilty, but usually, when the FBI has something, they have you I know a lot of people in the FBI. I've been in many of those investigations. They'll wait two, three, four, five years, but when they come knocking on your door, they have something.
Billups on Thursday was arrested and charged for his alleged role in a Mafia-backed illegal poker scheme. During an FBI press conference, it was revealed that the poker scheme involved sophisticated technology used to rig games for the defendants. Billups, the indictment alleged, served as a face card in the operation a high-profile player to entice would-be victims join the games.
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