In a bombshell federal sweep, FBI agents arrested more than 30 suspects — including two active NBA figures — in what officials are calling one of the biggest sports corruption crackdowns in decades.
At a Brooklyn press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel revealed the probe uncovered deep ties between professional basketball insiders and Italian-American mob families. “This is a historic bust that stretches from the NBA to La Cosa Nostra,” Patel said.
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Those arrested include Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player Damon Jones, according to NBC News.
The NBA has suspended Billups and Rozier indefinitely, calling the allegations “extremely serious” and reaffirming its commitment to “protecting the integrity of the game.”
Federal prosecutors say one scheme involved high-tech poker cheats tied to the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese crime families. Another uncovered an insider betting ring described as “one of the most brazen” since nationwide sports betting was legalized.
Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter’s earlier conviction for wire fraud allegedly helped lead investigators to the current operation.
“This wasn’t just gambling,” FBI official Christopher Raia said. “It was a multi-million-dollar criminal pipeline funding organized crime.”
Billups — a 17-year NBA veteran and 2004 Finals MVP — was arrested in Portland. Rozier was taken into custody in Orlando after agents flagged suspicious betting on his stats. Jones was charged in both schemes.
Officials say the case marks a turning point in the fight to keep professional sports clean:
“We’re drawing a hard line between competition and corruption,” Raia said.
Mafia still in on ALL gambling since demise in 80s?
Total Underground vs Old days ala Miami Vice TV show