Ex-NBA Player Damon Jones Pleads Guilty in Major Gambling Case Involving Over 30 Arrests Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones became the first individual to plead guilty in a high-profile gambling investigation that led to the arrest of more than 30 people, including organized crime figures and other basketball professionals. The plea, entered on Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court, marks a significant development in a case spanning nearly two years, during which prosecutors allege Jones conspired to defraud sports betting companies using insider information. Jones, 49, admitted to conspiring with others to commit wire fraud by leveraging nonpublic details about NBA player injuries. He acknowledged in court that his actions violated the NBA’s code of conduct and the terms of service of sports betting platforms. The conspiracy, which prosecutors claim ran from December 2022 to March 2024, involved sharing sensitive information about injuries to star players, such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, to influence betting outcomes. Jones stated in a prepared statement that he sincerely apologized to the court, his family, peers, and the NBA for his actions. The charges against Jones include a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a sentencing guideline range of 21 to 27 months in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6 before Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. As part of his plea agreement, Jones must forfeit $35,000 and comply with strict conditions, including a ban on gambling, restrictions on associating with organized crime figures, and requiring court approval for bank transfers exceeding $10,000 unless for legal fees.#lebron_james #nba #anthony_davis #damon_jones #brooklyn_federal_court
