**Former Detroit Pistons Finals MVP and Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups Hires Top Defense Attorney Amid Federal Gambling and Fraud Charges**
Chauncey Billups, former Detroit Pistons Finals MVP and current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, has retained prominent defense attorney Marc Mukasey to represent him against federal gambling and fraud charges that have sent shockwaves through the NBA.
Billups, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee who led Detroit to the 2004 NBA Championship, faces two serious federal charges: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
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### Billups Retains Veteran Trial Lawyer
According to *The Athletic*, Billups hired Marc Mukasey, a former federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York and son of former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey. Mukasey is renowned for handling high-profile white-collar and national security cases, including the defense of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher—who was acquitted of murder charges in 2019—and representing FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried during his 2024 sentencing.
Mukasey replaces Billups’ initial attorney, Chris Heywood, who represented him during the October 23 arraignment and publicly asserted Billups’ innocence.
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### Trail Blazers Confirm Suspension
The Portland Trail Blazers issued an official statement acknowledging Billups’ legal troubles and confirming his immediate suspension following his arrest last week.
> “We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Portland Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation,” the statement read.
> “Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head-coaching duties in the interim. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA.”
Under interim head coach Tiago Splitter, the Trail Blazers have posted a 3-1 record since Billups’ arrest, maintaining early-season competitiveness amid unfolding legal proceedings.
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### Details of the Federal Case
Federal prosecutors allege that Billups participated in an illegal gambling and poker operation that exploited insider information to manipulate game outcomes and attract wealthy bettors.
The indictment reviewed by Heavy Sports states that a coach matching Billups’ description informed an associate that the Trail Blazers planned to rest key players before a March 2023 game against the Chicago Bulls—a critical piece of information allegedly used by gamblers to their advantage.
Billups, 49, was arrested in Oregon and released on bail. He has yet to enter a plea, and no trial date has been scheduled.
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### A Stunning Fall for a Detroit Champion
For Detroit fans, the allegations represent a sharp and disappointing turn for one of the city’s most revered sports figures. Nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot” for his clutch performances, Billups played six seasons with the Pistons from 2002 to 2008, earning five All-Star selections and the 2004 Finals MVP award after leading the team to its third championship in franchise history.
Billups’ leadership and composure were the backbone of the famed “Goin’ to Work” Pistons era—a team celebrated for its defense, discipline, and unity. He retired in 2014, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and transitioned into coaching with Portland in 2021.
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### Global Sports Under Gambling Scrutiny
Billups’ indictment arrives amid increasing global scrutiny of sports-related gambling. Earlier this year, the Badminton World Federation handed a four-year ban to Danish coach and former player Joachim Persson for placing in-play bets during a match at the Japan Open, according to *Gambling Insider*. This case similarly involved exploiting insider information, mirroring the NBA’s expanding investigation into gambling activities.
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### Future Outlook
Billups remains on administrative leave as both federal and NBA investigations continue. If convicted on both counts, he faces up to 40 years in prison.
For Detroit fans and the basketball community alike, this case marks a sobering chapter for a player once defined by his calm under pressure. Now, Billups braces for what may be the toughest defense of his life—both inside and outside the courtroom.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/detroit-pistons/billups-prominent-attorney/