
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in rigged poker games case
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has pleaded not guilty to charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and another former NBA player. The Hall of Famer was arraigned Monday in a federal court in New York City. Billups was arguably the most prominent name among more than 30 charged in last month’s sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional sports. He previously appeared before in an Oregon federal court when prosecutors announced the indictment on Oct. 23. His attorney said at the time that the five-time All Star was a “man of integrity” and denied the charges.