Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Antoine Walker to stand trial on casino debt case in November

Former NBA all-star leaves Las Vegas courtroom in a hurry

Antoine Walker Court Appearance

Steve Marcus

Former NBA player Antoine Walker makes an initial appearance in District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Walker is facing felony bad check charges for allegedly failing to meet obligations to repay some $900,000 in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos.

Antoine Walker Court Appearance

Former NBA player Antoine Walker waits to make an initial appearance in District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Walker is facing felony bad check charges for allegedly failing to meet obligations to repay some $900,000 in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos. Launch slideshow »

Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker will stand trial in November in Clark County District Court on felony bad check charges for failing to meet obligations to repay some $900,000 in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos.

The 6-foot-9 Walker, who appeared for an initial arraignment Wednesday afternoon, pleaded not guilty to six felony counts related to drawing checks without sufficient funds with attempt to defraud.

After Walker's attorney, Jonathan L. Powell, said Walker would waive his right to have a trial within 60 days, Criminal Arraignment Hearing Master Melisa de la Garza set his next court date on 9:30 a.m. Nov. 18 and his trial date for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22 before Judge Valorie J. Vega.

The entire proceeding took less than a minute, then Walker and Powell left the courtroom quickly.

Walker waived off reporters in the hallway outside the courtroom and would not comment on reports that he is working out with the hopes of making an NBA comeback.

"You'd have to call his agent," Powell said as Walker strode quickly to a stairway exit.

Walker, who has no prior record, faces three counts of drawing a check without sufficient funds from a bank with attempt to defraud.

According to prosecutors, Walker has paid about $135,000 toward settling his casino debts to Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and the Red Rock Resort.

Walker, who has filed for bankruptcy, claims $12.7 million in liabilities and $4.3 million in assets -- including the 2006 NBA championship ring he won with the Miami Heat.

Walker played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008. He won a championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat and was a three-time all-star for the Boston Celtics. He hasn't played in the NBA since 2008, but played briefly in Puerto Rico during the 2009-10 season.

The Louisville Courier-Journal has reported that Walker was working out with coach Rick Pitino at the University of Louisville to try to get into playing shape for an NBA comeback.

Walker played under Pitino at the University of Kentucky in the mid-1990s.

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