Legal expert lays out what to expect if Blazers coach Chauncey Billups goes to trial

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Federal authorities unsealed two separate indictments on Thursday, and although they’re linked, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is only officially named in one.

He is accused of wire fraud and money laundering tied to rigging illegal poker games.

Legal expert say those two charges are often broad and all-encompassing, including everything from shady money transfers to bank records, and more

Well-known Portland attorney Steven Sherlag isn’t connected to this case, but he’s handled a lot of federal defenses. He says because of the public nature of the case, there’ll be a motivation for Billups and other high-profile defendants to risk trial with a full-throttled defense.

“People have very, very high pain thresholds for fighting the case. Many individuals look at government cases and say, ‘Can I cut a deal, cut my losses?'” said Sherlag. “Someone like Chauncey, he’s got a fantastic coaching career, he’s got enormous income potential. A case like this ends that, so he’s got a strong incentive to fight the case irrespective of how strong the government’s case is.”

The lawyer added that the government likely has a trove of digital and financial evidence tying Billups and the other mafia figures to the illegal poker schemes, evidence which extends well beyond what’s publicly available right now in the indictments.