ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Two Georgia men are among the 31 people indicted in connection with a conspiracy to rig illegal poker games that allegedly included NBA coach Chauncey Billups.

Tony Goodson of Forsyth and John Mazzola of Gray were named in the indictment. The indictment came as part of “Operation Royal Flush.”

The poker scheme allegedly lured unwitting players into rigged games with the chance to compete against former professional basketball players like Billups and former NBA Damon Jones. The games were fixed using sophisticated cheating technology, such as altered card-shuffling machines, hidden cameras in poker chip trays, special sunglasses and even X-ray equipment built into the table to read cards, authorities allege.

Goodson allegedly provided the scheme with the technology used to rig the games. The rigged card-shuffling machines allegedly read the cards in the deck, predicted which player had the best hand and showed that information to an off-site individual. They would then communicate that information to someone at the table, who would signal the other members of the “Cheating Teams” at the table.

Mazzola allegedly took part in the games themselves, using the technology to “defraud” victims who believed they were playing in fair games.

>> READ THE FULL INDICTMENT

The scheme often made use of illegal poker games run by New York crime families that required them to share a portion of their proceeds with the Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families, according to court papers. Members of those families, in turn, also helped commit violent acts, including assault, extortion and robbery, to ensure repayment of debts and the continued success of the operation, officials said in court documents.

Goodson has been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, operation of an illegal gambling business and money laundering conspiracy. Mazzola has been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

Billups has been placed on leave, according to the NBA, which said it is cooperating with authorities.

The NBA released a statement on social media following the arrests, saying, “We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today. Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”

Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, issued a statement Thursday evening denying the allegations, calling his client a “man of integrity.”

“To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall-of-Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a card game,” Heywood said.

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