Chauncey Billups Pleads Not Guilty to Rigged Poker Game Charges

Federal Court Proceedings

• 🏀 Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and NBA legend, appeared in federal court today.
• ⚖️ He entered a not guilty plea to charges involving rigged poker games.

Allegations and Co-defendants

• 🃏 Billups is accused of profiting from rigged poker games that involved several mafia figures and at least one other former NBA player.
• 💸 The alleged scheme involved over two dozen poker games that defrauded victims of more than $7 million.
• 🤝 Billups faces two conspiracy counts, with potential for decades in prison.

Case Progression

• 🗓️ The judge aims for the trial to commence no later than September of next year.
• 🤝 Federal prosecutors indicated that some defendants are considering changing their pleas to guilty and resolving the case before trial, though it's unclear if Billups is among them.
• 💵 Billups was released on a $5 million bond and made no statements leaving court.