Billups, Rozier, Jones Arrested in Mafia Poker Scheme

Federal authorities arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former player/assistant coach Damon Jones as part of a sweeping federal probe that charged more than 30 people in two related schemes involving rigged high‑stakes poker games and illegal sports betting. Prosecutors allege the poker operation — tied to the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese crime families — used altered shuffling machines, wireless communications, X‑ray devices, special lenses and other technology to fix outcomes and funnel tens of millions of dollars. Billups is accused of serving as a “face card” who used his stature to lure victims; Rozier is charged in a separate sports‑betting indictment for allegedly providing inside information and facilitating bets, and Jones is charged in both indictments and accused of sharing injury information with bettors. All three have been placed on leave and face federal counts including money‑laundering and wire‑fraud, and the NBA said it will cooperate with authorities and review internal controls to protect the integrity of the game. The arrests prompted criticism from local figures and legal experts and renewed calls for tougher policing of gambling activity in professional basketball.