Federal authorities have linked Chauncey Billups to three of the five American-Italian crime families, collectively known as La Cosa Nostra.
As previously reported, the Portland Trail Blazers coach was arrested on Thursday for his alleged involvement in an underground gambling scheme that cheated victims out of millions of dollars. Billups was among the 31 defendants named in a seven-count indictment, along with 13 alleged members and associates of the Bonano, Gambino, and Genovese crime families.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York said the defendants conspired to rig illegal high-stakes poker games “throughout the United States,” including New York City and East Hampton. Billups was among those who were allegedly recruited as “face cards,” high-profile figures who used their status to lure unsuspecting gamblers into the fixed games.
Investigators said the scheme involved wireless technology and altered shuffling machines that allowed conspirators to determine which player would have the winning hand. That information was then sent to an off-site conspirator, who then transmitted it via cellphone to the “quarterback” or “driver,” the name given to a conspirator who was playing at the table.
Authorities said the defendants also used a chip tray analyzer, an X-ray table, and special contact lenses and/or glasses that could secretly read all cards.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, laundered the illegal gambling proceeds through shell companies and cryptocurrency transfers. Officials said the scheme dated back to 2019 and cost the victims tens of millions of dollars in losses. The Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families allegedly backed both “fixed” and “straight” games in NYC, and received a portion of the proceeds.
“These individuals used technology and deceit to scam innocent victims out of millions of dollars – eventually funneling money to La Casa Nostra and enriching one of the most notorious criminal networks in the world,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a press release.
The indictment also alleges violent acts within the scheme, “including assault, extortions, and robbery… to ensure the repayment of debts and continued success of the operation.”
The former NBA player is facing wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges, according to an arrest warrant.
In the wake of Thursday’s arrest, the NBA placed Billups on leave.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” a league rep said in a statement to Complex on Thursday. “We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”