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