Former NBA player named as co-conspirator in gambling case

Eric Earnest has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court but has denied allegations of receiving insider information from former NBA player and head coach Chauncey Billups.

Federal authorities alleged that Billups, who was an NBA coach at the time, told Earnest that the Portland Trail Blazers would be tanking and that certain Portland players would not play against the Chicago Bulls in their game on March 23, 2023. 

Despite denying the accusation, Earnest told the court at his plea hearing that he had agreed to place an illegal bet on an NBA game with another person. However, after the hearing, Earnest's attorney told reporters: "Our position is that Chauncey Billups did not at any time provide inside information to Mr. Earnest that he used to place any bets."

Beyond his inside information case, which is scheduled for sentencing on April 15, 2027, Earnest pleaded guilty in another case involving allegedly rigged poker games, for which Billups was also charged. 

According to the federal prosecutor, Earnest participated in games with shuffling machines that could help predict the hands of players at the table. 

For each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Earnest could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release, along with a maximum fine of $250,000. 

For the inside information case, prosecutors believe Earnest could face a sentence of 30 to 37 months in prison. Meanwhile, for the poker case, he could get 63 to 67 months. 

Earnest is a key co-conspirator in the gambling case involving NBA player Terry Rozier. The latter pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering charges back in April.

Billups has not yet been charged for allegedly providing inside information, but he has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the poker case. Billups' trial is scheduled for early 2027.

In October, three out of six defendants in another federal gambling case involving former NBA players Malik Beasley and Ed Davis were expected to plead guilty.

The accused were charged in June over an alleged scheme involving bets on Beasley's individual performance while he played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season.