Defendants in mob-linked gambling case are discussing plea deals, feds say

Multiple defendants charged in connection with the mob-linked gambling case that ensnared current and former NBA stars are discussing plea deals with federal prosecutors, according to court documents

Multiple defendants charged in connection with the mob-linked gambling case that ensnared current and former NBA stars are discussing plea deals with federal prosecutors, according to court documents.

Current and former NBA players, along with a coach, were among nearly three dozen people indicted in connection with two major alleged operations: one involving the rigging of high-stakes poker games allegedly backed by the Mafia, and the other using nonpublic information to place bets on multiple NBA games.

Among the defendants in the cases are members and associates of four major Mafia crime families, as well as Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and ex-NBA player Damon Jones.

On Thursday, federal prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Ramon Reyes, who is presiding over the poker case, that multiple defendants may be discussing possible plea deals.

In the filings, federal prosecutors said, “although it is too early for the government and any of the defendants to engage in substantial plea negotiations, the government and defense counsel for several defendants have begun productive discussions that the government hopes will ultimately lead to resolutions as to several defendants without the need for a trial.”