Central Texas man linked with 'rigged poker' case involving mafia, NBA players and coaches

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Federal court records reveal one of the 33 defendants indicted in the sophisticated illegal poker scheme involving former NBA players and members of some of "the most notorious criminal networks in the world" was arrested in Central Texas.

According to the court records, special agents arrested Curtis Meeks, 41, in Georgetown on Thursday, accusing him of being involved in a "rigged poker scheme" that sent shockwaves nationwide. Authorities said victims were cheated out of over $7 million since 2019.

Williamson County records show Meeks was initially held in the county jail until being released to another agency on Friday.

"Meeks worked with others to provide cheating technology to participants in the scheme," the indictment states.

An attorney for Meeks has not been listed in the case yet. KXAN will reach out for a response to the allegations once that information becomes available.

Federal court records explain the scheme involved the use of various advanced wireless technologies such as rigged shuffling machines, electronic poker chip trays and specially designed contact lenses or sunglasses to read the cards dealt in each hand, which would then be communicated to co-conspirators playing in the rigged game.

The rigged poker games took place weekly in New York and throughout the United States with permission and approval from members and associates of various organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra, according to the indictment.

The indictment states members and associates of the Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese crime families were involved and provided support and protection for the games or would ensure debts were paid following the games.

Additionally, authorities linked Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones to the gambling scheme. Former NBA player Jontay Porter was previously charged in the case.

Among the seven counts of federal offenses outlined in the indictment, Meeks is currently listed in two separate counts charging him with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.