Federal authorities have charged 31 individuals in connection with schemes to rig illegal poker games across New York City, East Hampton, and other locations throughout the United States. The defendants include members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese organized crime families, as well as Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Damon Jones, a former NBA player.
The indictment was unsealed at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn. The arrests took place in 11 states. Initial court appearances for the defendants are scheduled for this afternoon at various federal courthouses nationwide, including in the Eastern District of New York.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Kash Patel, Director of the FBI; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office; Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner of the NYPD; and Phoebe S. Sorial, Executive Director of the New York Waterfront Commission announced the charges.
“As alleged, members and associates of organized crime families fixed illegal poker games as part of a highly sophisticated and lucrative fraud scheme to cheat victims out of millions of dollars and conspired with others to perpetrate their frauds,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Well-known former NBA players and former professional athletes acted as ‘Face Cards’ to lure unsuspecting victims to high-stakes poker games, where they were then at the mercy of concealed technology, including rigged shuffling machines and specially designed contacts lenses and sunglasses to read the backs of playing cards, which ensured that the victims would lose big. Today’s indictment and arrests sounds the final buzzer for these cheaters.”
Mr. Nocella also thanked Homeland Security Investigations Newark for their contribution to the case.
“Today over 30 people were arrested and charged for their alleged roles in criminal schemes to rig illegal poker games to win large amounts of money. These individuals used technology and deceit to scam innocent victims out of millions of dollars – eventually funneling money to La Casa Nostra and enriching one of the most notorious criminal networks in the world,” stated FBI Director Patel. “This investigation spanned 9 states and FBI offices, and I want to thank the men and women of the FBI for their tremendous work and dedication rooting out those actors responsible. This FBI will never stop following the money to pursue and find those who break our laws.”
“Using the allure of high-stakes winnings and the promise to play alongside well-known professional athletes, these defendants allegedly defrauded unwitting victims out of tens of millions of dollars and established a financial pipeline to La Cosa Nostra,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “This alleged scheme wreaked havoc across the nation, exploiting the notoriety of some and the wallets of others to finance the Italian crime families. Our office maintains its aggressive pursuit of any Italian organized crime operating in our jurisdiction and will continue to stem all unlawful revenue streams fueling their illicit activity.”
“With the alleged involvement of three La Cosa Nostra crime families, an NBA head coach and Hall of Famer, as well as other current and former professional athletes, the investigative work that culminated with this morning’s operation are reminiscent of a Hollywood movie. But this was not luck, and it was not theatrics,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “Over four years ago, HSI New York uncovered the operation and worked tirelessly with HSI Newark, the FBI, the New York Waterfront Commission, and NYPD to expose crimes that defrauded victims of at least $7 million dollars and included violent robberies. I commend all agencies involved in today’s sweeping arrests.”
“For years, these individuals allegedly hosted illegal poker games where they used sophisticated technology and enlisted current and former NBA players to cheat people out of millions,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “This complex scheme was so far reaching that it included members from four organized crime families...when people refused to pay because they were cheated...these defendants did what organized crime has always done: they used threats, intimidation, and violence.”
“Today’s indictment represents a concerted effort to combat traditional organized crime...Disruption of their illegal gambling proceeds weakens their grip on our region...The New York Waterfront Commission...remains unwavering in its commitment to dismantle these criminal enterprises by severing illicit revenue streams that sustain them,” said Waterfront Commission Executive Director Sorial.
According to prosecutors’ allegations dating back as early as 2019, participants used wireless cheating devices during underground Texas Hold’em games both locally within New York City—at locations like Lexington Avenue (linked with Bonanno family) or Washington Place (Gambino family)—and nationally.
The indictment details how organizers arranged rigged games using advanced technology such as altered shuffling machines capable of reading entire decks or contact lenses/glasses designed for card marking detection. Information about winning hands would be relayed off-site via cellphone before being signaled back into play by team members referred to as "Quarterbacks" or "Drivers." Cheating teams coordinated bets based on this data while unwitting participants lost significant sums—sometimes tens or hundreds thousands per game—with total losses estimated at least $7 million.
Roles within these operations varied: certain defendants supplied equipment; others managed logistics or laundered proceeds through shell companies using cash or cryptocurrency transfers.
The three major LCN families reportedly received portions from both standard illegal poker activities (“straight” games) as well as manipulated ones run by organizers under their oversight.
Some conspirators also committed acts involving violence—including extortion attempts against debtors using threats or physical assault—and even armed robbery targeting equipment held by co-conspirators.
Authorities note that affected bettors may qualify for restitution under federal law if proven victimized by these activities.
Prosecutors emphasize that charges remain allegations until proven otherwise; all accused are presumed innocent unless convicted.
The case is being prosecuted by attorneys from EDNY's Organized Crime & Gangs Section with support from paralegal specialists.
