Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard-turned-assistant coach Damon Jones were indicted Thursday, Oct. 23, in two separate but overlapping federal cases centered on illegal sports wagering and high-stakes poker fraud.
Two parallel investigations
During an FBI news conference in New York, officials detailed:
- Sports betting case (United States v. Laster, et al.) — prosecutors say current and former NBA personnel shared non-public information about player availability and, in some instances, removed themselves from games to cash in on “under” prop bets from December 2022 through March 2024.
- Poker case (United States v. Aiello, et al.) — an alleged Mafia-backed scheme dating to at least 2019 in which celebrities, including Billups and Jones, lured wealthy opponents into poker games rigged with X-ray tables, marked cards and remote-signal technology, generating roughly $7.15 million in illegal profits.
Key allegations in the NBA betting plot
According to the indictment:
- Rozier, then with the Charlotte Hornets, told childhood friend Deniro Laster on Mar. 23, 2023 that he would exit that night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter. Laster allegedly sold the tip for about $100,000; a network of bettors wagered on Rozier’s statistical unders. Rozier played nine minutes before leaving with five points, four rebounds and two assists.
- Jones, an unofficial member of the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff in 2022-23, and a co-conspirator whose career aligns with Billups, allegedly disclosed injury information regarding players matching the descriptions of Damian Lillard, LeBron James and Anthony Davis before it became public.
- Investigators say at least seven NBA games involving the Hornets, Orlando Magic, Trail Blazers, Lakers and Toronto Raptors were targeted.
- Jontay Porter, banned by the NBA earlier this year, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud tied to the same betting ring and awaits sentencing.
Details of the poker fraud
Federal agents contend Billups and Jones acted as “face cards,” attracting high rollers to clandestine games supported by the Gambino, Lucchese, Genovese and Bonanno crime families. Every dealer and player, except the victims, allegedly shared in the proceeds. When losses mounted, Mafia enforcers used threats and violence to collect debts.
Charges and potential penalties
Both Billups and Rozier are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A U.S. magistrate judge released them Thursday after they surrendered passports and agreed to substantial bonds. Jones faces identical counts.
League and team fallout
The NBA placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave. Portland elevated assistant Tiago Splitter to interim head coach ahead of Friday’s home game against the Golden State Warriors. Rozier, who has one season and $26.6 million remaining on his contract, could be expelled under the league’s Uniform Player Contract if the allegations are proven.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said in a statement, adding that it is reviewing the indictments.
Attorneys push back
Billups’ lawyer, Chris Heywood, said his client “has never and would never gamble on basketball games.” Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, called the guard “not a gambler” and vowed to fight the charges. A source close to LeBron James told ESPN the Lakers star was unaware of Jones’ alleged activities; James is not accused of wrongdoing.
Three individuals — Jones, Eric Earnest and Shane Hennen — are named in both indictments, tying the basketball and poker conspiracies together. Investigators indicated additional college basketball and NBA inquiries are ongoing.
Source: ESPN
