During the proceedings at a federal court in Brooklyn, Earnest acknowledged that he had conspired with another individual to place an illegal wager on an NBA game around March 24, 2023. While the government did not formally name the co-conspirator, the indictment described an individual whose career path as a player from 1997 to 2014 and a coach since 2021 matches that of Billups. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Berman stated that the government was prepared to prove that an NBA head coach had indeed provided inside information to bettors, though that individual has not been charged in the case.
Defense disputes allegations regarding Billups
Following the hearing, Earnest’s attorney, Peter Brill, addressed the media to clarify his client’s position. Brill stated that there is a fundamental disagreement with the government’s narrative, asserting that Chauncey Billups never provided any inside information to Earnest for the purpose of placing bets. Marc Mukasey, representing Billups, declined to comment on the statement provided by the defense.
The allegations in the indictment centered on a March 24, 2023, matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Chicago Bulls. Prosecutors alleged that an unnamed co-conspirator informed Earnest that the Trail Blazers would be tanking the game and that specific players would be sidelined. Billups, who has not been charged in this specific gambling case, remains a central figure in the broader legal proceedings.
Separate charges involving rigged poker games
In addition to the
Earnest faces significant potential penalties, with prosecutors estimating a sentence of 30 to 37 months for the inside information case and 63 to 78 months for the poker case under federal sentencing guidelines. Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and substantial fines. Sentencing for the poker case is set for March 4, 2027, followed by the sentencing for the gambling case on April 15, 2027. The remaining defendants, including
