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
Former NBA Player and Coach Damon Jones Pleads Guilty to Selling Inside Information to Gamblers Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal charge of conspiring to sell insider information to gamblers. The 49-year-old, who played for 10 teams during an 11-year career, appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn and admitted guilt to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. His sentencing was scheduled for January 6, with the government recommending a prison term between 21 and 27 months. Jones was arrested last year as part of a wide-ranging investigation into sports betting and illegal poker involving NBA figures and organized crime. The probe included reputed mobsters and prominent basketball individuals, such as Chauncey Billups, the former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a Hall of Fame member, and Terry Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat. Prosecutors stated that Jones sold or attempted to sell non-public information he obtained through his NBA connections. The case gained attention after Jones allegedly provided gamblers with details about a key event in a February 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. According to federal authorities, Jones shared information about a high-profile L.A. player’s injury, which would prevent them from playing. He reportedly texted an unnamed co-conspirator, instructing them to “get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.” The Lakers lost the game to the Bucks, 115-106, with LeBron James sidelined due to a sore left ankle and foot. The government’s case against Jones centered on his actions as part of a broader scheme involving illegal gambling activities.#milwaukee_bucks #los_angeles_lakers #damon_jones #chauncey_billups #terry_rozier
