Former NBA player Damon Jones is expected to plead guilty April 28 in Brooklyn federal court to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for providing non-public injury information about LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.
Jones, 49, would be the first person to enter a guilty plea in a sweeping gambling investigation that has led to more than 30 arrests, including reputed mobsters and current and former NBA figures. The hearing was moved up from May 6 at the request of both parties, according to a court filing Thursday.
Prosecutors allege Jones used his connections to James and Davis — forged during their time together in Cleveland and later through an unofficial role with the Lakers — to obtain and sell confidential medical details. On Feb. 9, 2023, Jones texted a co-conspirator: “Get a huge bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out,” hours before James was ruled out with a lower-body injury. The Lakers lost that game 115-106.
On Jan. 15, 2024, bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones $2,500 for a tip that Davis would have limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fairley placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder based on the information, but Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a Lakers win. Fairley later demanded a refund, according to prosecutors.
Jones is one of three individuals charged in both the insider betting scheme and a separate probe into Mafia-tied poker games that used rigged shuffling machines, hidden cameras and X-ray-equipped tables to cheat unsuspecting players. He initially pleaded not guilty to both cases in November but signaled a shift in strategy last month when his lawyer told a judge they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”
A native of Galveston, Texas, Jones earned over $20 million during an 11-season NBA career from 1999 to 2009, playing for 10 teams. He served as a Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach from 2016 to 2018 and worked as LeBron James’ personal shooting coach during the 2022-2023 Lakers season.
The insider information case involving Jones features only six defendants, including former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who is also accused of sharing confidential injury details that led to over $200,000 in wagers on his under prop bets prior to a March 2023 game in which he played just nine minutes due to a foot injury.
Federal investigators say Jones’ attempts to sell non-public player information date back to at least December 2022, underscoring a sustained effort to monetize his access to team personnel and medical staff.
Why is Jones expected to plead guilty now?
Jones’ legal team requested the earlier hearing date, suggesting a resolution may be imminent after months of plea negotiations, though no formal agreement has been disclosed.
What charges does Jones face?
He is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in two separate cases: one involving the sale of injury information about NBA players, and another tied to rigged poker games allegedly backed by organized crime.
How does this case fit into the broader gambling investigation?
Jones is among more than 30 people arrested in a federal probe that uncovered both sports betting fraud and Mafia-influenced illegal gambling operations involving current and former NBA players, coaches and associates.
