Chauncey Billups
Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
If your sport doesn’t have a betting scandal right now you’re probably just doing it wrong. Seriously though, as different leagues continue to embrace the influx of cash flow brought on by legalized sports gambling, the problems continue to mount. Multiple former Minnesota Timberwolves have been caught up in the stories.
After coaching against the Minnesota Timberwolves on opening night, Hall of Fame guard and former Minnesota star, Chauncey Billups was arrested. Plenty has come out about his participation in illegal card games, and he has even involved Kevin Garnett.
Everyone remains innocent until proven guilt though, and Billups wants that to be his narrative right now.
Chauncey Billups denies illegal betting allegations
It would be pretty silly for Chauncey Billups to outright admit any nefarious wrongdoing. He’ll obviously have his day in court, but right now the Portland Trailblazers head coach is sticking to his innocence.
Portland Trail Blazers coach and basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other former NBA player.
The five-time All-Star, who won a championship with the Detroit Pistons, was arraigned in a federal court in New York City on money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, both of which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. Some of Billups’ co-defendants are also charged with running an illegal gambling business and engaging in an extortion conspiracy.
At a bond hearing later Monday morning, the judge released Billups on a $5 million dollar bond. The NBA Hall of Famer used his home in Colorado as collateral and his daughter Sydney, the Manager of Team and Player Services for the Minnesota Timberwolves, co-signed his bond.
ESPN
While rigging prop bets is also part of the problem, Billups’ involvement was tied to rigged poker games. The ESPN report states that, “he served as a celebrity “face card” who could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said during one game, the scheme’s organizers exchanged messages saying one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “starstruck.”
For a guy that earned more than $106 million during his playing career, it seems wild to get involved in such risky business. There is a possibility that Billups has different liabilities surrounding him, or simply believed in being too big to fail.
At any rate, this saga is far from over. It’s likely more names will come out that send shockwaves through the sports world. For now at least, Billups is trying to distance himself from blame.
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