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NEW YORK – Former NBA players Chauncey Billups – currently the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers – and Damon Jones were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit both wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly participating in fake poker games.
Billups and Jones were allegedly dubbed “face cards” who, according to the indictment, were “members of the fraud squads 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 dating back to April 2019, according to the Justice Department.
“Billups and Jones, in particular … were used to attract victims to the games because of their status as former professional athletes,” the DOJ 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 DOJ added that in April 2019, Billups was one of five defendants who “organized and participated in rigged poker games” in Las Vegas “using a rigged mixing machine” in which victims lost at least $50,000. One of the defendants texted another co-conspirator that Billups should purposefully lose a hand to avoid suspicion of cheating.
During that game, a defendant said one of the victims had “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star struck” by Billups, according to officials.
In October 2020, Billups was reportedly netted $50,000 after a rich poker game. Before a game, Jones reportedly asked for a $10,000 advance and said he needed the act “badly.” He got $2,500.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups looks on during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on January 11, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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In response to being coached on how to cheat, Jones responded, “Lol man, you call Djones because you know I know what I’m doing!!” according to the DOJ.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal charges announced today. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams and we will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities. We take these allegations very seriously 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 not clear how Billups and Jones became friendly with the other defendants, many of whom are part of three separate 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 in the second half at the United Center on April 4, 2024. (Matt Marton/Imagn Images)
More than 30 people were arrested on Thursday for their alleged roles in both schemes.
