Pistons Legend Caught in Mob Gambling Sting

Back in 2004,The Detroit Pistons had an incredible season becoming NBA Champions after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers to become NBA Champions.

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One of the biggest names on that team was Chauncy Billups

Around ten years later Billups retired from the NBA and went on to become an ESPN analyst, a few later in 2016 the Detroit Pistons retired his jersey.

And then in 2020 Billups became an assistant coach for the Los Angels Clippers.

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Then a year later he became the head coach for the Portland Trailblazers which he was doing until he was put on leave by the NBA and the Trailblazers following federal indictment charges related to an illegal poker operation.

The charges against Billups mainly focus on a conspiracy to rig high-stakes, illegal poker games that were allegedly backed by La Cosa Nostra organized crime families.

Key Details of Allegations Against Billups

Rigged Poker Scheme: Authorities allege that Billups participated in a scheme to fix illegal poker games in various locations across the United States, including Las Vegas, Miami, and New York.

"Face Card" Role: Billups, along with other former professional athletes, was allegedly enlisted as a "Face Card" to lure unsuspecting victims into the games, lending an air of legitimacy to the operation.

Cheating Technology: The games were allegedly fixed using sophisticated cheating technology, such as altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras, and other devices.

Charges: Billups was charged with money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.

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Billups made his first federal court appearance in Portland on Thursday afternoon.

Lawyers from both sides told the judge they have agreed on Billups’ release from custody pending trial on certain conditions.