Billups, Rozier, Jones Arrested in Mafia Gambling Probe

Federal authorities arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former player/coach Damon Jones in sprawling indictments alleging two related gambling conspiracies — a Mafia-backed rigged high-stakes poker operation and a sports-betting scheme involving inside information and manipulated game outcomes. Prosecutors allege the poker ring used altered shuffling machines, wireless technology, X‑ray devices, chip-tray analyzers and special contact lenses to fix games, and laundered proceeds through shell companies and cryptocurrency; the operation is tied to associates of the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese families. Billups is accused of serving as a “face card” who lured victims to fixed games and is further tied in the indictment to a coach described as discussing tanking and nonpublic player availability; Rozier is accused of supplying insider information and facilitating bets, and Jones is charged in both indictments. The indictments — part of a yearslong probe that charged more than 30 defendants across multiple states and alleges tens of millions in losses — include counts of money laundering and wire fraud. The NBA has placed Billups and Rozier on leave and said it is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.