"Wearing a gray suit, Billups entered his not-guilty plea on Nov. 24 on federal charges connected to a rigged poker game that had enveloped the attention of the NBA and the rest of the sports world. He's facing money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges, both of which carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years."
"In front of the 30 other defendants, Billups, mostly expressionless, sat front and center for more than three hours as Judge Ramon E. Reyes heard arguments over all sorts of procedural and logistical issues, casting Billups as the face of a trial that includes violent criminals with long rap sheets, mobsters and members of the criminal underworld, as prosecutors allege he was a "face card" in the rigged poker games, whose fame lured victims to the table."
"In the courtroom, the judge put a protective order on the evidence in the case disseminated to attorneys -- which prosecutors say includes a terabyte of bank records, surveillance photos and other electronic data -- and said he hoped a trial could begin in September."
Chauncey Billups appeared in federal court in Brooklyn on November 24, entering a not-guilty plea to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges stemming from involvement in a rigged poker game. Prosecutors allege Billups served as a "face card" in the scheme, using his NBA fame to attract victims to the games. He appeared alongside 30 other defendants, including violent criminals and mobsters. The case involves extensive evidence including a terabyte of bank records, surveillance photos, and electronic data. Judge Ramon E. Reyes imposed a protective order on the evidence and indicated a trial could begin in September. The legal process is expected to take years to fully resolve.
Read at ESPN.com
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