NBA coach Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in poker cheating case

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups on Monday pleaded not guilty to a two-count federal indictment accusing him of participating in a brazen scheme to rig underground poker games backed by the Mafia

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups on Monday pleaded not guilty to a two-count federal indictment accusing him of participating in a brazen scheme to rig underground poker games backed by the Mafia.

Billups is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

Judge Ramon Reyes set bond at $5 million, secured by Billups’ home in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The conditions of his bond package dictate that he cannot have contact with witnesses, victims, co-conspirators or co-defendants.

He also cannot gamble or associate with any members of organized crime.

Billups was surrounded by reporters and cameras as he left the federal courthouse Monday alongside his attorney, his wife and one of his daughters.