In a stunning development, the FBI announced on Thursday the arrest of 31 individuals, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, as part of a massive federal investigation into an illegal gambling and sports rigging operation allegedly connected to four of the five most notorious Mafia families in the United States.
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that the multi-year probe spanned 11 states and uncovered charges ranging from wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery, and illegal gambling. “The fraud is mind-boggling,” Patel said at a press conference, adding that the investigation exposed tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent activity.
According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., the suspects used high-tech cheating technology to manipulate underground poker games backed by the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families.
Among those arrested was former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones, detained in Las Vegas, and reputed mob associate Tommy Gelardo, taken into custody Thursday morning.
Rozier, 30, who joined the Heat in 2024 from the Charlotte Hornets, was arrested in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to appear in federal court later today. His attorney, Jim Trusty, criticized the manner of the arrest, saying:
“They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. Terry was cleared by the NBA, and these prosecutors revived that non-case. He looks forward to winning this fight.”
Billups, 49, was reportedly arrested in Portland, where he resides, and will be arraigned later today, according to officials from the Eastern District of New York. The Trail Blazers had played a home game in Portland the previous night.
The NBA legend, known as “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch performances during Detroit’s 2004 championship run, transitioned into coaching in 2021 after a Hall of Fame playing career.
This high-profile case comes months after former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was indicted in a separate illegal poker case and amid the league’s growing scrutiny of gambling-related activities. In 2024, Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned for life for betting on NBA games and leaking insider information to gamblers.
The FBI stated that more arrests are possible, with several organized crime figures expected to face additional charges in two separate gambling-related cases.
The Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers have not yet issued statements on the arrests.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official reports and statements made by law enforcement authorities. All individuals named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
