Billups, Jones charged in poker scam case

ByEnigma 808

Federal prosecutors charged 31 people on Thursday with running rigged poker games backed by organized crime families in New York. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones face accusations of attracting wealthy targets to fraudulent games that used hidden cameras and marked cards. Authorities say the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese families collected profits from the operation that stole at least $7 million from victims across nine states.

The scheme operated in New York City and the Hamptons, using cheating devices that read specially designed cards via modified contact lenses. Federal investigators spent four years tracking financial networks connected to mob enforcers who used violence to collect gambling debts. The NBA suspended Billups and guard Terry Rozier immediately after the indictment became public. Law enforcement officials arrested both former basketball stars on Wednesday, along with dozens of other suspects linked to the conspiracy.

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    Besides writing and being a content creator, Enigma 808 sometimes likes to watch paint dry on walls, listening to ASMR while timing snails racing. Such is life.