The FBI held a highly anticipated press conference on Thursday morning to release more details regarding the arrests made in their illegal gambling probe earlier in the morning.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were both arrested as part of the operation. At least 31 defendants were arrested and are now in custody.
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Former NBA player Damon Jones was also arrested as part of the investigation.
Thursdays arrests involved two separate indictments, one for an illegal sports betting ring and the other for an underground poker scheme allegedly supported by the Mafia.
The FBI alleges that Jones and Rozier gave non-public NBA information to sports bettors, who would place NBA bets based on that inside information and upon winning, would give a percentage of their proceeds back to the two players and the other defendants.
In the other case, Billups was allegedly involved in a scheme that rigged underground gambling games using online cheating technology. Jones is allegedly involved in this case as well.
Shams Charania appeared on ESPN Thursday morning with more details.
The NBA reportedly had no prior knowledge of the arrests and previously cleared Rozier in their own investigation.
All NBA defendants on the gambling indictment have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The investigation is still ongoing but all defendants currently in custody are set to appear in federal court on Thursday.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
