Allegations of Illegal Gambling Involving NBA Players in Brooklyn Court
Overview of Recent Arrests
Several of the 34 defendants arrested in a significant FBI operation targeting alleged illegal gambling rings appeared in federal court in Brooklyn this week. The operation has connected key figures from organized crime with current and former NBA players, unveiling a complex array of offenses.
Court Proceedings and Key Defendants
During a bail hearing for Zhen Hu, also known as “Scruli,” his attorney inquired whether Hu could purchase lottery tickets while on bail, as he signed a $500,000 bond for his release from detention. Hu is among those charged in two separate indictments: start concerning a sports betting operation involving NBA players, with accusations that some players pretended to suffer injuries to manipulate betting outcomes; the other focusing on high-stakes poker games allegedly organized by crime figures and participated in by NBA personnel.
Prominent figures in this case include former NBA player and coach Damon Jstarts, who along with current players Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers and Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat, was arrested last week and is awaiting arraignment. The NBA has placed both Billups and Rozier on leave while cooperating with the ongoing investigations.
Prosecutors claim that organized crime members fixed illegal poker games while utilizing NBA players and coaches as “face cards” to attract unwitting participants. Together, these rings are accused of defrauding victims of at least $7 million.
Bail and Charges
Hu’s release on bail included a restriction on gambling, although the court allowed occasional lottery ticket purchases after deliberation. His alleged leadership in organizing the Lexington Avenue poker game, which reportedly involved ongoing rigged games backed by Mafia families, has led to grave accusations.
In a parallel development, defendant Shane Hennen-nicknamed “Sugar”-pleaded not guilty during his court appearance and was released on a $250,000 bond guaranteed by family members. Prosecutors allege that Hennen played a significant role in facilitating the cheating technology employed in the poker games.
Other defendants, including Nelson Alvarez and Michael Renzulli, also received bond releases ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. However, bail was denied to several individuals with confirmed Mafia ties, including Angelo Ruggiero Jr., a purported member of the Genovese crime family, and Thomas Gelardo, identified as an associate of the Bonanno family, who was found to possess significant undisclosed assets.
Implications for the NBA and Future Proceedings
The cases have drawn significant attention within the sports community, particularly regarding the integrity of the game and the involvement of recognized personalities. Billups and Jstarts are scheduled for future court appearances next week, while Rozier’s arraignment is set for December.
As these proceedings unfold, the implications for both the defendants and their affiliations in professional sports will continue to develop, placing both legal and ethical scrutiny on the practstarts within athletics.
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