New York — NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, nearly a month after he was among dozens of people arrested in a sweeping FBI crackdown on alleged illegal gambling rings . Billups is facing charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

The 49-year-old — who had served as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers until being suspended by the league in late October following his arrest — appeared alongside 30 other defendants in the Eastern District's massive ceremonial courtroom to face charges over allegations of cheating in high-stakes poker games operated by mafia figures.

The elaborate cheating scheme netted more than $7 million from rigged games, prosecutors said.

The hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Ramo

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