Chauncey Billups, Blazers
Getty
Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups departs after his arraignment hearing at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups is scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday, marking his second appearance since being charged in a sweeping Mafia-linked gambling and racketeering case that has sent shockwaves through the NBA.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Billups is facing money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, each carrying a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. If convicted on both counts, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductee could face up to 40 years in federal prison.
Billups has pleaded not guilty and was released on a $5 million bond secured by his Colorado home.
Federal Charges: Money Laundering, Wire Fraud Conspiracy Carry 20-Year Maximums
Federal prosecutors allege Billups was part of a 31-defendant operation connected to organized crime families, including members and associates of the Gambino and Genovese crime syndicates.
Court documents reviewed by Heavy Sports state that Billups allegedly participated in high-stakes private poker games that were secretly rigged to defraud wealthy participants. Prosecutors claim players were cheated using marked cards, manipulated shuffling devices, hidden cameras and specialized optical equipment designed to give insiders an advantage.
Authorities told the court they possess approximately one terabyte of evidence, including surveillance recordings, financial transactions and digital communications tied to the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors further allege Billups used his NBA celebrity status to lure affluent individuals to the illegal games, where millions of dollars in illicit profits were generated. Investigators claim he received tens of thousands of dollars in payouts from the operation.
Separate Allegation: Non-Public Blazers Information Shared With Bettors
In a separate indictment, federal authorities allege Billups tipped off a co-conspirator about the Blazers’ internal decision to rest key players ahead of a March 2023 game against the Chicago Bulls, potentially giving gamblers an unfair betting advantage.
The indictment does not explicitly name the coach in one section but describes an individual whose profile matches Billups, a head coach providing non-public lineup information while also participating in exclusive poker games.
The allegations have heightened scrutiny because they involve potential misuse of confidential team information in connection with sports betting activity.
Trail Blazers Rebuild Overshadowed by Legal Cloud
Billups, hired in 2021, had been guiding Portland through a franchise rebuild centered on Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and first-time All-Star Deni Avdija. The organization was also recently reunited with franchise icon Damian Lillard, who is recovering from a torn Achilles injury.
With Billups suspended and placed on administrative leave following his November arrest in Oregon, assistant coach Tiago Splitter has been elevated to interim head coach. Portland is 28-31 under Splitter and 29-33 overall, clinging to the 10th seed in the Western Conference — one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers and 1.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In race.
The franchise has not announced a long-term coaching plan pending the outcome of the federal case.
Billups Retains High-Profile Defense Attorney Marc Mukasey
Billups has hired prominent white-collar defense attorney Marc Mukasey to represent him.
Mukasey, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and son of former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, is known for representing former U.S. President Donald Trump in legal matters, as well as Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried during his sentencing on fraud charges.
According to The Athletic, Billups retained Mukasey shortly after being placed on administrative leave by Portland.
Hall of Fame Legacy at Stake
Billups’ involvement in the case has drawn national attention, given his stature in basketball. A five-time NBA All-Star and 2004 NBA Finals MVP, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024 and had been regarded as one of the league’s most respected figures.
Now, instead of focusing solely on Portland’s playoff push and long-term rebuild, the franchise faces uncertainty as its head coach confronts the possibility of decades behind bars.
If convicted on both federal conspiracy counts, Billups could face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison — a stunning fall for a Hall of Famer whose career once symbolized leadership and championship pedigree.
The case remains ongoing, and no trial date has been publicly announced.