Federal prosecutors expect some of the defendants in a high-stakes poker cheating operation involving a former NBA coach and player that came to light in October to accept plea deals in the coming days.
Former Portland Trail Blazers head coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones were arrested as part of the investigation. Billups, Jones, and 29 other defendants were in a Brooklyn courtroom on Wednesday, where a trial in the case was set for Nov. 2.
However, prosecutors expect at least a dozen to accept plea agreements. Prosecutors said there were “productive conversations” underway. It’s unknown if Billups and Jones were included in that group trying to reach an agreement with the feds.
Evidence Unveiled
On Tuesday, prosecutors outlined some of the evidence in the case. Some of that includes: body camera footage; information from seized electronic devices; over 100,000 pages of financial and telephone records; and hundreds of surveillance photos, including some from poker game locations.
Additionally, the court won’t try all the defendants together. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are discussing how to proceed with the cases.
Prosecutors charged Billups with money laundering and wire fraud. He pleaded not guilty. He is currently out of jail on $5 million bail. Jones is facing the same charges, has also pleaded not guilty, and is out on $200,000 bail.
Former Detroit Pistons player Richard Hamilton voiced his support for his former teammate this week as the events played out in court.
“Chauncey’s in a good place,” he told USA Today. “We always have his back. Spoke to him multiple times. So, we’re here to support him, but this ain’t Chauncey. I know Chaunc. This ain’t him. So, hopefully everything works out and everybody in the world realizes that Chauncey’s one of the better people in this world.”
Major Allegations
Hamilton’s assessment strikes a stark contrast from the picture painted by investigators. In October, the FBI and US Attorney’s Office outlined an extensive cheating operation allegedly involving athletes and the mafia.
The group reportedly used rigged shuffle machines, special glasses or contact lenses to read marked cards, and “x-ray tables” to ensure winning sessions. Investigators allege Billups was a “face card” celebrity used to bring in unsuspecting players for the operation. It allegedly bilked victims out of millions of dollars.
Along with the poker operation, prosecutors also released details on a major illegal sports betting operation at the same time. That investigation has expanded in recent months.
In other poker-related jurisprudence, a jury found SCOTUSblog co-founder Tom Goldstein guilty on 12 counts of tax-related crimes regarding his high-stakes poker winnings.
