All 31 suspects in bombshell NBA gambling case hauled into court as feds say plea negotiations 'have already begun'

"All 31 suspects in the explosive NBA gambling case were hauled into Brooklyn court Monday, squeezing into the largest courtroom in the building - as the feds hinted at least some may be trying to cut deals. Hoops Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, 49, landed $5 million bail at the federal proceeding, while fellow defendants Sophia "Pookie" Wei, reputed Bonanno crime-family mobster Thomas "Tommy Juice" Gelardo and the rest of the alleged crew tied to the headline-grabbing case were there for status conferences."

"A prosecutor disclosed to the court that several suspects accused in the scheme - which allegedly defrauded victims of more than $7 million - may reach plea deals. "With respect to some of the defendants, plea negotiations have already begun," Assistant US Attorney Michael Gibaldi told the court. Billups pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering and was released after posting the $5 million bond secured by his Colorado home and signed by his wife and daughter"

"The scene unfolded in a ceremonial, oil-painting-filled courtroom that is typically used for naturalization ceremonies, but which court officials made available for the unusually large amount of defendants in the case. Billups sat with his lawyers at one defense table, while a separate table was filled by Gelardo and another reputed gangster who allegedly dealt into the high-stakes scam: Angelo Ruggiero Jr., the son of the late Gambino captain Angelo "Quack Quack" Ruggiero Sr., who was close friends with notorious Gambino boss John Gotti."

All 31 suspects in an alleged NBA gambling scheme appeared in a Brooklyn federal courtroom for status conferences. Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering and was released on a $5 million bond secured by his Colorado home and signed by his wife and daughter. Prosecutors said alleged victims were defrauded of more than $7 million and that plea negotiations have begun for some defendants. Other named defendants included Sophia "Pookie" Wei, Thomas "Tommy Juice" Gelardo, Angelo Ruggiero Jr., Damon Jones, and poker players Saul Becher and Wei. The courtroom used was a ceremonial room typically for naturalization ceremonies.

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