TLDR
- Shane Hennen pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in the Eastern District of New York “rigged poker” case
- Hennen did not plead guilty to illegal gambling charges connected to former coach Chauncey Billups
- Hennen is scheduled for sentencing on December 8
- Nineteen of 31 original defendants in the poker case have pleaded guilty or agreed to do so
- Former NBA player Terry Rozier still faces trial on February 8, 2027, and has a motion to dismiss pending
Shane Hennen pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one federal charge in an ongoing gambling corruption case. The plea was entered in the Eastern District of New York as part of what prosecutors call the “rigged poker” case.
Hennen admitted to wire fraud conspiracy. He did not address a second charge tied to illegal gambling that also involves former Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups.
Hennen is described in court documents as a central figure across three separate gambling cases. These involve NBA players, college basketball players, and an alleged Mafia-backed poker operation.
His sentencing is scheduled for December 8. Legal experts say his plea could signal cooperation with federal investigators.
What Legal Experts Are Saying
Greg Brower, a former FBI Assistant Director and Deputy General Counsel, spoke with Gambling Insider about the case. He said defendants who plead guilty often cooperate with prosecutors afterward.
Brower said this can lead to reduced sentences. He also said the pattern of plea deals across these cases points to strong evidence held by prosecutors.
Defense attorneys reviewing the evidence appear to agree, according to Brower. He said this may explain why so many defendants have chosen to plead early rather than go to trial.
Hennen was accused of helping supply rigged card-shuffling machines. These were allegedly used in Texas Hold’em games connected to organized crime figures starting in 2019.
Other Cases Tied to the Investigation
The rigged poker case is one of four linked federal investigations. The others involve NCAA point-shaving, prop bet manipulation tied to former NBA player Terry Rozier, and a case involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter.
Porter pleaded guilty in 2024 but has not yet been sentenced. Brower said this delay may relate to overlapping investigations and ongoing cooperation.
In the poker case, 19 of 31 original defendants have pleaded guilty or agreed to plea deals. This includes former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones.
In the Rozier case, half of the six defendants have now pleaded guilty. Rozier faces a charge tied to an alleged $100,000 bribe from 2023.
Rozier has changed legal counsel. A motion to dismiss his case remains pending, arguing that sharing insider information does not meet the legal definition of wire fraud.
His trial is currently set for February 8, 2027.
Federal investigators, including FBI Director Kash Patel, have pointed to the involvement of players and coaches as a factor that has drawn wide attention to the cases.
Brower said organized crime involvement in gambling schemes is not surprising to the public. He said the participation of coaches and players is what has made these cases stand out.
Convictions of high-profile players have not yet occurred through trial. Malik Beasley, Emmanuel Clase, and Luis Ortiz are among those who have not accepted plea deals.
Brower said a guilty plea can send the same message as a trial conviction. He said this applies whether the case involves a low-profile or high-profile defendant.
Hennen’s sentencing in December will be one of the next major dates in the case.
