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MichMan

(16,151 posts)

16. From fraud to extortion, what NBA stars and the mafia are accused of in stunning charges

Sat Oct 25, 2025, 08:58 AM

20 hrs ago

The second indictment charges 31 defendants with scheming to rig illegal poker games. The defendants include Portland Trail Blazers coach and former Detroit Pistons star Chauncey Billups and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and coach Damon Jones.

The defendants allegedly used high-tech cheating technology to steal millions of dollars from victims in secretly-fixed underground poker games. For instance, Nocella said they used off-the-shelf shuffling machines that were altered to read the deck's cards and relay information about which player likely had the best hand.

"The defendants fleeced the victims out of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per game," Nocella said.

This scheme also involved the mafia, according to Nocella. That was because members of the Bonano, Gambino and Genovese organized-crime families already had control over non-rigged, illegal poker games in New York City.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/10/23/nba-mafia-charges-sports-betting-gambling-poker/86853880007/

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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups charged in illegal poker operation tied to Mafia: Sources [View all] mahatmakanejeeves Thursday OP

And y'all trust professional sports? Well, ok then. twodogsbarking Thursday #1

Why shouldn't we? Oeditpus Rex Thursday #5

It is another topic but makes me wonder at times. Money and all. twodogsbarking Thursday #6

Money? Oeditpus Rex Thursday #9

There are allegations that Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat faked injuries and for financial gains MichMan Friday #11

What do poker ganes have to do with professional sports? Oeditpus Rex Friday #15

From fraud to extortion, what NBA stars and the mafia are accused of in stunning charges MichMan 20 hrs ago #16

So there happen to be an NBA player and a couple of (ex-) coaches involved Oeditpus Rex 10 hrs ago #19

Not all sports, just the NBA MichMan 7 hrs ago #20

Thus he parentheseLes Oeditpus Rex 6 hrs ago #21

Why was Chauncey Billups arrested? MichMan 19 hrs ago #17

Who is Damon Jones, and how is he involved? MichMan 19 hrs ago #18

The guy is earning over $4 million per year Jose Garcia Thursday #2

Or, Patel's FBI caught a bunch of guys playing cards in louis-t Thursday #3

It's not just that, but also that Rozier was passing along inside information Deminpenn Thursday #8

Wow, pretty evil. I was making a joke but louis-t Friday #10

Maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal, Deminpenn Friday #13

Please void Rozier's contract. LoveSucky Thursday #4

This is just the tip of the iceberg of illegal gambling operations Deminpenn Thursday #7

I'm waiting for Bet ESPN to post odds on who will snitch first. Ptah Friday #12

Here's a good primer on sports betting Deminpenn Friday #14