Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has hired prominent defense lawyer Marc Mukasey as he contests federal accusations stemming from an alleged mafia-linked poker ring, according to The Athletic.
The NBA has placed the 49-year-old coach on unpaid leave while the case proceeds. A federal grand jury last week indicted Billups on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of money-laundering conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Brooklyn federal court, and his next appearance is set for Nov. 24.
Mukasey, a former New York prosecutor who recently represented former U.S. President Donald Trump, is the son of ex-U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey. Billups’ local counsel in Portland says the coach “disputes the charges.”
Assistant coach Tiago Splitter has been elevated to interim head coach while the investigation unfolds.
Links to Broader Gambling Probe
Although Billups is not formally charged in a separate illegal sports-betting case that led to Terry Rozier’s arrest, prosecutors believe he matches the description of “Co-Conspirator 8” in that indictment. The unnamed figure allegedly warned convicted felon Eric “Spook” Earnest that Portland planned to tank a game in March 2023. Earnest is one of three people charged in both gambling investigations.
League-Wide Reaction
Former Pistons coach Larry Brown told ESPN he has been “in constant contact” with Billups. “He would be one of the last people I would think about involving himself with bad people,” Brown said.
An unnamed associate expressed concern for Billups’ safety, noting possible mob involvement. Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, a longtime friend, also reached out. “You can tell by his voice—he’s confident,” Lue said. “The toughest part is his family, his daughters, but he’s hanging in there.”
The Blazers have not announced a timeline for Billups’ potential return.
Source: Hoops Wire
