Overview
- A detention memo from the Eastern District of New York includes images of an allegedly altered DeckMate 2 shuffler and an “X-ray” table said to read face-down cards, along with references to marked cards, hidden cameras, and special lenses.
- Prosecutors allege Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese family members organized the private games, approved who played, and took cuts from proceeds.
- Chauncey Billups is described as a high-profile “face card” used to draw victims, has been placed on leave by the Trail Blazers, denies wrongdoing through counsel, and faces a substantial bail request with his arraignment date not yet set.
- The indictment outlines alleged cheating from 2019 to 2023 at invitation-only games in Manhattan, the Hamptons, Las Vegas, and Miami, with reported victim losses of at least $7 million.
- Recent court actions include reputed mobster Angelo Ruggiero Jr. ordered held without bail, Curtis Meeks pleading not guilty and posting $250,000 bail, and Damon Jones scheduled for arraignment on November 6 as the multi-agency case advances on charges including wire fraud, money laundering, extortion, robbery, and illegal gambling.