Portland Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has pleaded not responsible to costs linked to a Mafia-run unlawful playing scheme that has shaken the NBA, in response to US media stories.
Billups, a former Detroit Pistons star and member of the Basketball Corridor of Fame, was arrested over claims he was concerned in rigged underground poker video games linked to organised crime teams.
He was investigated alongside Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier in an FBI operation that uncovered dishonest strategies equivalent to X-ray poker tables, hidden cameras and barcoded taking part in playing cards. Dozens of different suspects have been additionally arrested.
Each Billups and Rozier have been positioned on indefinite go away by the NBA following their arrests. Rozier and former NBA participant and assistant coach Damon Jones have been additionally charged in a separate sports activities betting case.
Billups faces costs of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and cash laundering. He denied the accusations in courtroom on Monday, stories say. He appeared in a Portland federal courtroom earlier than participating in one other temporary listening to in Brooklyn, the place he was represented by lawyer Marc Mukasey. He has been launched on bond.
Prosecutors declare Billups used his standing as a well known former participant to draw individuals to the high-stakes poker video games, which have been allegedly fastened utilizing “high-tech dishonest know-how”.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned he was “deeply disturbed” by the investigation.
“There’s nothing extra essential for the league and its followers than the integrity of the competitors,” he mentioned, including that he was sorry the scandal had overshadowed the beginning of the season.
“I apologise to our followers that we’re all coping with this case,” Silver mentioned.
