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MichMan

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

Sat Oct 25, 2025, 08:58 AM

Oct 2025

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 Oct 2025 OP

And y'all trust professional sports? Well, ok then. twodogsbarking Oct 2025 #1

Why shouldn't we? Oeditpus Rex Oct 2025 #5

It is another topic but makes me wonder at times. Money and all. twodogsbarking Oct 2025 #6

Money? Oeditpus Rex Oct 2025 #9

There are allegations that Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat faked injuries and for financial gains MichMan Oct 2025 #11

What do poker ganes have to do with professional sports? Oeditpus Rex Oct 2025 #15

From fraud to extortion, what NBA stars and the mafia are accused of in stunning charges MichMan Oct 2025 #16

So there happen to be an NBA player and a couple of (ex-) coaches involved Oeditpus Rex Oct 2025 #19

Not all sports, just the NBA MichMan Oct 2025 #20

Thus he parentheseLes Oeditpus Rex Oct 2025 #21

Why was Chauncey Billups arrested? MichMan Oct 2025 #17

Who is Damon Jones, and how is he involved? MichMan Oct 2025 #18

The guy is earning over $4 million per year Jose Garcia Oct 2025 #2

Or, Patel's FBI caught a bunch of guys playing cards in louis-t Oct 2025 #3

It's not just that, but also that Rozier was passing along inside information Deminpenn Oct 2025 #8

Wow, pretty evil. I was making a joke but louis-t Oct 2025 #10

Maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal, Deminpenn Oct 2025 #13

Please void Rozier's contract. LoveSucky Oct 2025 #4

This is just the tip of the iceberg of illegal gambling operations Deminpenn Oct 2025 #7

I'm waiting for Bet ESPN to post odds on who will snitch first. Ptah Oct 2025 #12

Here's a good primer on sports betting Deminpenn Oct 2025 #14