"NEW YORK -- 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."
"Chris Heywood, his attorney, has said Billups is a "man of integrity" and denies the charges. "To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game," Heywood said after Billups appeared in federal court in Portland, Oregon, when prosecutors first announced the indictment on Oct. 23."
"Billups wore a dark gray suit during the brief arraignment and spoke only to answer the judge's yes or no questions. He has been free on bond since his initial court appearance in Oregon. Billups was arguably the most prominent name among more than 30 charged in last month's sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports."
Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty in New York federal court to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges that each carry a maximum 20-year prison term. Prosecutors allege he profited from rigged, Mafia-backed illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons. More than 30 defendants were charged in a sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. Some co-defendants face additional counts for running an illegal gambling business and extortion. Billups appeared in a dark gray suit, answered only yes-or-no questions, and has been free on bond since his initial Oregon appearance. Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also charged.
Read at ESPN.com
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