Portland Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups entered a plea of not responsible Monday in opposition to federal expenses that he participated in a rigged poker sport scheme to defraud different gamers of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.
Billups, 49, was arrested late in October in reference to a Vegas playing ring that’s allegedly tied to the Bonanno, Genovese, and Colombo crime households.
The FBI alleges that Billups was the “face man” and a “co-conspirator” within the video games, appearing as a widely known identify who might draw others and persuade them that the video games have been on the up and up. Federal prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and cash laundering. Every cost carries a most 20-year sentence upon conviction.
Prosecutors additionally say that the criminals behind the poker sport scheme dedicated violent acts to gather on money owed incurred from the crooked video games.
The NBA coach has denied any wrongdoing.
Billups appeared in court docket on Monday earlier than U.S. District Decide Ramon Reye. His bail was set at $5 million. In accordance with USA At the moment, the coach put up his residence in Colorado as collateral to safe a bond.
The Path Blazers positioned Billups on unpaid go away as he continues his protection within the case that isn’t anticipated to go to court docket till September of subsequent 12 months.
Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier and assistant coach Damon Jones have additionally been accused within the playing scheme. Jones has pleaded not responsible, and Rozier is about to look in court docket on December 8.
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