Former Wolves Guard Says He’s Not a Mafia Plant

If your sport doesn’t have a betting scandal right now you’re probably just doing it wrong. Seriously though, as different leagues continue to embrace the influx of cash flow brought on by legalized sports gambling, the problems continue to mount up for each sport.

In the NBA, multiple former Minnesota Timberwolves are caught up in the latest and juiciest betting scandal currently in the news.

After coaching against the team he used to play for on opening night of the season, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Hall of Fame point guard Chauncey Billups was arrested on charges involving the mob, rigged poker games and devices straight out of the next 007 film.

Chauncey Billups denies illegal betting allegations

Plenty has come out about his participation in illegal card games, some details of which have even involved Kevin Garnett. While we all have the right to our innocence until proven guilty, the outlook for Billups recently is not good.

Billups, who played for the MN Timberwolves for two seasons, from 2000 to 2002, will obviously have his day in court. And at least for now, the disgraced Blazers coach is sticking to his innocence, claiming he is NOT a Mob plant.

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. Some of Billups’ co-defendants are also charged with running an illegal gambling business and engaging in an extortion conspiracy.

At a bond hearing later Monday morning, the judge released Billups on a $5 million dollar bond. The NBA Hall of Famer used his home in Colorado as collateral and his daughter Sydney, the Manager of Team and Player Services for the Minnesota Timberwolves, co-signed his bond.

ESPN

Former Minnesota Timberwolves guard up against it…

While rigging prop bets is also part of the problem, Billups’ involvement was tied to rigged poker games.

The ESPN report states that, “he served as a celebrity “face card” who could draw wealthy, unsuspecting players to the games. Prosecutors said during one game, the scheme’s organizers exchanged messages saying one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “starstruck.”

For a guy that earned more than $106 million during his playing career, it seems wild to get involved in such risky business. There is a possibility that Billups has different liabilities surrounding him, or simply believed in being too big to fail.

At any rate, this saga is far from over. It’s likely more names will come out that send shockwaves through the sports world. For now at least, Billups is trying to distance himself from blame.