FBI Arrests NBA Stars in Major Illegal Gambling Investigation
In a significant crackdown on illegal gambling, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested 34 individuals, including notable figures from the NBA. Among those apprehended are Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player and coach Damon Jones. This operation is part of a larger investigation into a sophisticated illegal gambling scheme linked to organized crime.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests during a press conference in New York on Thursday. He revealed that the investigation is connected to members of the La Cosa Nostra crime families and focuses on illegal gambling and rigged sports operations that have been ongoing for years. Patel emphasized the importance of this operation, stating, "We have not only exposed the fraud in the NBA but have also taken action against La Cosa Nostra, including the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese crime families."
Patel praised the courageous prosecutors involved, highlighting their commitment to combating illicit activities in both national sports and organized crime. He noted that the fraud uncovered is historic, involving not just monetary theft but also deceit that included cryptocurrency scams.
Details of the Arrests
The arrests of Billups and Rozier are connected to allegations of involvement in illegal gambling activities, including rigged poker games associated with the Mafia. Billups, a former NBA Hall of Famer and star with the Detroit Pistons, was implicated alongside Jones in a scheme that reportedly used advanced cheating technology to defraud participants in underground poker games.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, clarified that two indictments were announced in connection with this case. The first indictment pertains to sports betting, while the second addresses illegal gambling associated with rigged poker games. Nocella explained that these defendants, including former professional athletes, exploited technology to steal millions from unsuspecting victims in fixed poker games.
The illegal poker games allegedly took place in various high-profile locations, including the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Miami, and Manhattan. Nocella described how Billups and Jones were used as "face cards" to attract victims, referred to as "fish," who were eager to play alongside former professional athletes. Unfortunately, these victims were unaware that all the other participants in the games, including the dealers and players, were complicit in the scam.
The Broader Context of Organized Crime and Sports
The La Cosa Nostra crime families, which include the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families, have a long history of involvement in organized crime in the United States, dating back to the 1920s. Their influence has been felt in various major cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago. The recent arrests highlight a troubling pattern of illegal sports betting and match-fixing that has often been linked to organized crime.
Throughout history, numerous sports scandals have emerged involving these crime families. Notable cases include the 1950s-60s boxing scandals tied to Frank Carbo and the infamous college basketball point-shaving scandals of the 1950s and 1970s. Each of these incidents exposed deep-rooted corruption and prompted significant reforms in sports regulations.
As this investigation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against organized crime and its insidious influence on the world of sports.
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