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NEW YORK – Former NBA players Chauncey Billups, currently head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Damon Jones were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly participating in rigged poker games.
Billups and Jones were allegedly dubbed “figures” who, according to the indictment, were “members of the entrapment crews and received a portion of the criminal proceeds in exchange for their participation in the scheme.” The scheme resulted in victims losing at least $7.15 million, as of April 2019, according to the Department of Justice.
“Billups and Jones, in particular…were used to lure victims to the games due to their status as former professional athletes,” the Justice Department said.
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Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were arrested Thursday as part of an illegal poker scheme. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images; Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The Justice Department added that in April 2019, Billups was one of five defendants who “arranged and participated in rigged poker games” in Las Vegas “using a rigged shuffling machine” and the victims lost at least $50,000. One of the defendants sent a text message to another accomplice telling him that Billups should lose a hand on purpose to avoid suspicions of cheating.
During that game, a defendant said one of the victims had “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because Billups “star-struck” him, according to officials.
In October 2020, Billups allegedly received a $50,000 transfer following a rigged poker game. Before a game, Jones allegedly asked for a $10,000 retainer and said he “needed” action badly. They gave him $2,500.
Head coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers watches during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on January 11, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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In response to being taught how to cheat, Jones responded, “Lol, call Djones because you know I know what I’m doing!” according to the Department of Justice.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal allegations announced today. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said in a statement.
Billups’ career earnings exceeded $100 million as a player, while Jones earned at least $20 million.
It is unclear how Billups and Jones became friends with the other defendants, many of whom are part of three different Italian-American crime families.
Jones, a former NBA coach, is also a suspect in the sports betting case in which Terry Rozier was arrested Thursday.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups leads his team against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on April 4, 2024. (Matt Marton/Image Images)
More than 30 people were arrested Thursday for their alleged role in both schemes.
