NBA coach pleads not guilty to charges in illegal gambling case

Chris Heywood, Billups' lawyer, denied the charges against his client.

Marc Mukasey, another lawyer for Billups, declined to comment to reporters after the not guilty plea was entered.

Federal officials said Billups was used as a so-called "face card" to lure victims into the rigged games. Prosecutors said during one game, the scheme's organizers sent messages to each other saying one of the victims "acted like he wanted Chauncy to have his money" because he was "star struck."

The poker-rigging scheme involved sophisticated technology such as altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in chip trays, special sunglasses and X-ray equipment built into the card tables, prosecutors said.

Billups is accused of receiving a cut of the money the alleged mobsters made, according to officials.

Billups and his co-defendants, including ex-NBA player Damon Jones, appeared for a status conference as well. They are due back in court on March 4.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.