Feds Expose Mafia-Linked Gambling Scandal Involving Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier

By Sunny Tran | Updated October 24, 2025

New York, NY — In one of the most explosive scandals to hit professional basketball in years, federal prosecutors announced sweeping indictments against Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former NBA player Damon Jones. The charges stem from two interlinked federal gambling probes with alleged ties to organized crime families.

The indictments, unsealed Thursday by the Eastern District of New York, reveal a sophisticated, multi-state operation involving 34 defendants, millions of dollars in illegal betting activity, and connections to four major mafia families — Bonanno, Genovese, Gambino, and Luchese.

Terry Rozier in action for the Miami Heat during a December 2024 game against the Houston Rockets.

34 Arrests Across 11 States

During a tense news conference, FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. detailed the years-long investigation that culminated in a series of coordinated arrests early Thursday morning. The probe, nicknamed “Zen Diagram” by federal agents, uncovered extensive fraud schemes that exploited underground poker games, insider sports betting, and violent debt collection tactics.

Billups was arrested in Portland and is expected to appear in federal court later today. Rozier, taken into custody in Orlando, will face arraignment in Brooklyn at a later date.

Billups Accused of Fronting Rigged Poker Games

According to prosecutors, Billups acted as a celebrity lure in a gambling ring that operated luxury underground poker games in Miami, Las Vegas, New York, and the Hamptons. Investigators allege that players were drawn in by the chance to sit at the same table as the NBA legend — only to lose big in rigged games using manipulated card decks, shuffling machines, and even X-ray tables.

“Billups knowingly served as the ‘face card,’” said Nocella. “He was there to make the games look legitimate while others fleeced players out of millions.”

“Your winning streak has ended. Violating the law is a losing proposition — and you can bet on that.” — U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr.

Rozier Implicated in “Nothing But Net” Scheme

Meanwhile, Rozier faces accusations in a separate but related case, codenamed “Nothing But Net.” Prosecutors allege that between December 2022 and March 2024, Rozier provided insiders with advance information about his game availability — data that was used to place high-stakes prop bets on NBA matches.

One incident highlighted in the indictment references a March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier left that game after nine minutes, citing injury. Investigators claim that bettors close to Rozier wagered heavily on his early exit, netting more than $200,000 in profits.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups during a March 2025 game in Boston. 
The FBI also linked the operation to the earlier arrest of former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA in 2024 after admitting to manipulating game outcomes for profit. Patel compared the scandal to “an insider trading case for basketball.”

Organized Crime and Modern Technology Collide

NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the scheme as “a modern twist on old-school mob tactics.” When victims refused to pay, she said, enforcers used intimidation and violence — classic mafia methods enhanced with 21st-century tech.

“It’s the same pattern we’ve seen for decades,” Tisch said. “Traditional mob enforcement, supercharged by new technology.”

Reactions from the NBA and Defense Teams

Attorney Jim Trusty, representing Rozier, slammed the federal action as “a publicity stunt,” claiming that prosecutors relied on “unreliable sources” and ignored the fact that Rozier had been previously cleared by the NBA.

“They wanted the spectacle of arresting a pro athlete at dawn,” Trusty said. “Terry is no gambler — and he’s ready to fight these false claims.”

The NBA issued a formal statement confirming that both Billups and Rozier have been placed on immediate leave pending review. “The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league stated.

The Miami Heat deferred comment to the NBA, while the Portland Trail Blazers announced that assistant coach Tiago Splitter will serve as interim head coach.

What’s Next?

Both Billups and Rozier are expected to appear in federal court later this month. The ongoing investigations, authorities say, may result in additional charges and arrests in the coming weeks as the FBI continues to trace millions in laundered funds.

“This isn’t just about basketball,” Patel concluded. “It’s about corruption, organized crime, and the exploitation of trust in professional sports.”