Chauncey Billups seems in courtroom after arrest over alleged Mafia-led playing ring
Chauncey Billups has been pictured leaving court after he was arrested as part of a FBI investigation into a Mafia-led gambling ring that spanned decades.
The NBA was engulfed in crisis on Thursday – just two days into the new season – after the Feds launched a series of arrests that saw Miami Heat star Terry Rozier and Billups detained.
Rozier appeared in federal court in Orlando, Florida on Thursday afternoon. He was seen leaving the courthouse through a side door, having been released from custody following his arraignment.
A few hours later, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey was seen outside a courthouse in Portland, Oregon. Both men face money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges.
The poker ring is allegedly tied to the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families, and saw rigged games take place in Manhattan, the Hamptons and Las Vegas.
It is alleged that New York’s notorious crime families would use X-ray tables to tilt games in their favor and wear special high-tech contact lenses to read pre-marked cards.
Chauncey Billups was pictured leaving court after he was arrested as part of a FBI investigation
Billups – who wore a brown hoodie – did not enter a plea during the hearing in Portland, Oregon
According to KGW and NBC, Billups – who wore a brown hoodie – did not enter a plea and was released on certain conditions. They include restrictions on travel and no gambling activity.
Later on Thursday, former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones left a federal courthouse in Las Vegas. Jones, 49, is alleged to have been involved in the two separate, but related, illegal betting operations and was arrested following a federal indictment.
He is alleged to have provided inside information about NBA games to co-defendants who are said to have used it to place sports bets.
Jones was also named among 31 individuals allegedly involved in the illegal poker ring – which used NBA stars as ‘face cards’ to allegedly lure victims to the table.
He played for 10 NBA teams over an 11-year career from 1998 to 2009 and was a Cavaliers assistant from 2016 to 2018.
See below for more coverage of this story…
Shaquille O’Neal: ‘I’m ashamed’
Damon Jones seen leaving court
Billups leaves court following hearing
Breaking:Billups ‘leaked insider info’ about his team
NBA star Terry Rozier is released from custody after court appearance
Rozier’s former teammate mocks arrest
Massive salaries made by Billups, Rozier and Jones revealed
Stephen A Smith claims NBA investigation was fueled by Trump
ESPN called out for displaying betting ad during NBA gambling scandal discussion
Lakers coach says there have been meetings on anti-gambling rules
Rozier’s mother attends court with lawyer
Breaking:PICTURED: Terry Rozier spotted leaving court
Rozier expected to be released after using house as bond
Chilling text messages between mobsters in NBA gambling scheme
Who are the unnamed NBA players mentioned in the indictment?
Rozier’s lawyer insists he is ‘not a gambler’
Billups made poker reference hours before arrest
DraftKings pledges to work with NBA on integrity
NBA commissioner called for checks on sports betting days before gambling bust
Who is Damon Jones?
Trailblazers tap Tiago Splitter as interim head coach
Hakeem Jeffries reacts to NBA gambling probe
Justice Department lists games in question in gambling probe
Suspects used violence against gambling victims, prosecutors say
Who is Terry Rozier?
FanDuel spokesperson says gambling indictments are ‘deeply disturbing’
Patel says indictment reveals NBA’s ‘insider trading’
REVEALED: Lavish life of Chauncey Billups and family
NBA players union issues statement
One victim lost $1.8 million in single rigged poker game, police say
LeBron James dragged into NBA betting scandal
NBA places Rozier and Billups on leave
FBI official lists incorrect NBA team name in gambling probe
Wild methods Mafia used in illegal NBA gambling racket seen in FBI indictment
Suspects accused of rigging high-stakes NYC poker games
Rozier allegedly staged injury at Hornets-Pelicans game
Who is Chauncey Billups?
New York Rep. says indictment is ‘inevitable consequence’ of sports betting industry
Patel praises FBI investigation
The same investigators prosecuted Jontay Porter
NBA cooperated with investigation
What is La Cosa Nostra and the Five Families?
Rozier allegedly rigged bets with ‘supposed injury’
Prosecutors describe intricate scheme used to trick victims
Police called investigation ‘Operation Nothing But Bet’
Professional athletes used to lure victims, prosecutors say
Prosecutors tell gambling suspects, ‘Your luck has run out’
Gambling scheme involved ‘ tens of millions of dollars in fraud’
Mafia connected to gambling scheme, FBI Director says
31 people arrested in connection to gambling probe
Statement from Terry Rozier’s lawyer…
Rozier to appear in court this afternoon
Where has this come from?
What we know so far…
NBA in crisis







