Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups appears in federal court, pleads not guilty

NEW YORK (KATU) — Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, New York on Monday.

READ MORE | Portland Trail Blazers’ coach Billups arrested in gambling operation scandal

He’s facing charges tied to what prosecutors call an illegal multi-million-dollar poker operation.

Billups pleaded not guilty to those federal charges.

The FBI says a mafia-run gambling ring set up the rigged poker games and Billups helped by using his celebrity to bring in unsuspecting players.

Billups, an NBA Hall of Famer and 2004 NBA Champion was arrested back in late October.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | Chauncey Billups arrest

Prosecutors say poker tables were equipped with altered shuffling machines and x-ray technology designed to pre-determine outcomes.

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