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The NBA's illegal gambling bust could soon envelop even more basketball stars and cost casinos hundreds of millions, as defendants scramble to cut deals with prosecutors.
Federal investigators tell the Daily Mail that the FBI's sweeping probe into insider betting scams and rigged Mafia-run poker rings is far from over - and say it's only a matter of time before panicked suspects begin to 'rat' on friends to save themselves.
Michael Volkov, a former 25-year federal prosecutor with expertise in racketeering cases, said he expects some among the 34 indicted last month to serve up 'big names' to the feds to avoid jail time.
'If I'm the defense attorney, I'd call up the Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) and say, "look, my guy wants to cooperate, and I'm telling you he can deliver a huge name",' Volkov said.
'You try to use as much leverage as you can to get a good deal.
'That's one thing they can sell: What other players were involved in this? If they can deliver NBA players, the prosecutors will want that.
The FBI illegal gambling investigation has so far led to arrests of former NBA star Damon Jones (left), Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups (right) and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, as well as 13 alleged Mafia members
Rozier, who most recently played for the Miami Heat, was placed on indefinitely leave following his arrest part for his alleged role in the scheme
'I think that's going to happen. You're going to see people saying stuff about bigger players.
'They're going to know what players on their team were involved in this, and they'll rat those guys out.'
The FBI's investigation has so far led to the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, 49, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, 30, and former NBA assistant coach and player Damon Jones, 49, last month.
The three were arrested on October 23 along with more than 30 others in a takedown of two illegal gambling operations that authorities say leaked inside information about NBA athletes and rigged poker games backed by Mafia families.
Billups has been charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games tied to La Cosa Nostra organized crime families that allegedly cheated unsuspecting gamblers out of at least $7million.
Rozier has been accused in a separate scheme of exploiting private information about players to win bets on NBA games. Both men face money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Jones, meanwhile, has been charged with participating in both schemes.
The Daily Mail obtained a photo showing Billups (left) at a poker table in 2019 alongside two alleged co-conspirators; Sophia Wei (middle) and Saul Becher (behind Wei)
Former federal prosecutors Crane Pomerantz (left) and Michael Volkov (right) tell the Daily Mail they expect more basketball stars to be ensnared in the scandal, as those already indicted could squeal to save themselves
Former Assistant US Attorney Crane Pomerantz, who now works in Las Vegas white collar criminal defense, agreed that the feds are targeting household names.
'There are two things the DOJ really likes: high profile targets and organized crime,' he said.
'It has a huge deterrent effect. When individuals see high profile professional athletes being arrested like Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, it sends a message to the public about not getting involved in illegal gambling operations.'
Pomerantz added that unless defendants can find a reliable way to contest the charges against them, their only real bargaining chip is to flip on their conspirators in a plea deal.
'There isn't a ton to offer a potential defendant other than potential cooperation,' the Clark Hill litigator said.
'Every federal prosecutor has a right to continue to investigate his or her case through trial. It's possible other big names could emerge.'
Jones was arrested last month as part of the FBI's mass investigation into illegal betting
Jones was part of the Cleveland Cavaliers coach staff for the team's 2016 championship win
A third attorney with decades of experience working with major casinos, top professional gamblers and Vegas regulators told Daily Mail: 'What the feds are doing with these guys, they're saying if you want to get out of this, now's the time for you to cut a deal with the government.'
'Tell us everybody you know who was involved in this, because we're going to find out eventually. Somebody is going to talk,' the attorney, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
As well as having decades of experience prosecuting similar cases, Volkov has a direct link to the feds' NBA bust.
His client, professional gambler RJ Cipriani, claims he has evidence of another current NBA coach's links to the alleged illegal gambling scheme.
As a former FBI informant on other illegal gambling cases, Cipriani knew who to call.
'I spoke to an AUSA involved in the case. I gave her all the information I knew,' he told Daily Mail.
The coach Cipriani informed on was allegedly a client of a convicted illegal gambler and money launderer, and may be linked to the feds' case. We are not disclosing their identity.
Defendants cooperating with investigators could also lead to senior casino staff becoming embroiled in the sprawling FBI probe, Volkov warned, adding that he believed a lot of the alleged illegal activity was routed through Las Vegas gambling institutions.
'Players flipping is very valuable, because the players are going to deal with higher-ups at the casinos,' he said.
'There's going to be a lot more light on the criminal activity in Vegas.'
'It's not every day the director of the FBI shows up at the press conference,' Pomerantz added, highlighting the importance of the case for federal law enforcement.
Volkov said that if casinos were tied to the illegal gambling schemes, their liability in fines could reach into the hundreds of millions.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the indictments during a press conference on October 23
Cipriani claimed the link between Sin City casinos and the NBA began in earnest when the association launched a summer league in Vegas in 2004.
'It all started in Vegas,' he said. 'Every one of these guys played at poker games in Vegas.
'I've seen NBA guys at every casino I go to. When you get done in the summer league, there's only three things to do: you're either going to bang a hooker, have a great meal, or gamble. And they've done all three.'
Volkov said he plans to reference the FBI bust in a new lawsuit he plans to file next month on Cipriani's behalf against Resorts World casino, a $4.3billion company.
The planned civil lawsuit relates to Cipriani's whistleblowing about alleged illegal gambling.
'Our civil case, I think, is going to help the feds,' said Volkov. 'I want to get it to them as fast as I can.'
Resorts World paid a $10.5million fine to the Nevada Gaming Commission over complaints it allowed illegal sports bookies to operate under its roof and failed to comply with anti-money laundering laws.
Last year the IRS criminal division settled a case against another giant casino firm, MGM Grand, with a $7.45million fine over alleged anti-money laundering violations.
Resorts World has not yet resolved its own reported IRS probe.
The anonymous attorney who spoke to the Daily Mail said that cheating is rife in private, high-stakes poker games such as those implicated in the federal indictment.
'I have clients who are well known big time professional gamblers, bookmakers,' the lawyer said.
'These people were all in the know. They would be the first to tell you that playing poker rooms is one thing, but playing private, high-money poker games in Las Vegas, you've gotta be out of your mind. You're going to be cheated.'
'I would not be surprised if there was private litigation that came out of this against the hotels,' the veteran attorney added.
'They allowed it to go on, on their premises. This is all racketeering activities, and the feds can pursue RICO charges. I would expect them to do some of that.'
