Chauncey Billups trial date set for November 2026 in federal rigged poker case

A federal judge in Brooklyn has scheduled November 2, 2026 as the trial start date for Chauncey Billups and his co-defendants in the high-profile rigged poker case. Judge Ramon Reyes announced the date during a status hearing at the United States Courthouse in New York, where all defendants appeared Wednesday.

The case involves Billups, former NBA guard Damon Jones, and nearly three dozen co-defendants accused of operating an elaborate scheme. Federal prosecutors allege they lured unsuspecting players into mob-rigged poker games, with assistance from organized crime figures and equipment suppliers to manipulate the outcomes.

Plea negotiations underway for multiple defendants

With too many defendants to try simultaneously, prosecutors and defense attorneys must discuss dividing the case for trial. Federal prosecutors announced plans to extend plea offers to 12 defendants in the coming days, while at least nine others are engaged in productive conversations about pleading guilty.

The latest court filings did not specify whether Billups is among those considering a plea deal. All defendants, including Billups and Jones, have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Since the previous status hearing on November 24, defendants have reviewed extensive evidence placed under court protective order. According to prosecutors’ Tuesday brief, evidence includes body-worn camera footage, arrest records, electronic evidence from seven devices and Apple iCloud accounts, over 100,000 pages of financial and telephone records, more than 800 pages of surveillance photographs, and pole camera footage from 147 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, one alleged poker game site.

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Billups remains on administrative leave

The government separately produced approximately 7 terabytes of electronic data from devices and iCloud accounts seized during October arrests. Billups faces money laundering and wire fraud charges, to which he pleaded not guilty in November.

The Portland Trail Blazers head coach has been on unpaid administrative leave since his arrest and is currently living in the Denver area after being released on $5 million bail. The case represents a significant legal challenge for the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer, whose coaching career remains in limbo pending trial resolution.