The case, brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, has implicated players, coaches, and organized crime figures in schemes that prosecutors say exploited insider access to professional basketball to corrupt both illegal poker operations and sports betting markets.
Former NBA player Damon Jones is expected to become the first person to plead guilty in a federal gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures, according to the Associated Press. Jones, 49, is scheduled for plea change hearings on April 28 in Brooklyn federal court in two separate cases — one charging him with profiting from rigged poker games and another alleging he sold non-public injury information about LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn provided the judge with a copy of Jones’ proposed plea agreement on Friday; its terms have not been made public. Jones remains free on bail.
The case has implicated players, coaches, and organized crime figures in schemes that prosecutors say exploited insider access to professional basketball to corrupt both illegal poker operations and sports betting markets.
Jones previously pleaded not guilty in both cases to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Each charge carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.
Messages seeking comment were left for his lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, who told a judge at Jones’ arraignments in November that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”
LeBron James injury tip
Prosecutors allege Jones sold information about James’ availability before a Feb. 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. James was not listed on the Lakers’ injury report at the time of the alleged tip, but he was later ruled out of the game because of a lower body injury, according to prosecutors. The Lakers lost 115-106.
According to prosecutors, Jones texted an unnamed co-conspirator: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”
In a separate alleged transaction on Jan. 15, 2024, sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones approximately $2,500 for a tip that Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ forward and center, would see limited playing time against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of an injury, prosecutors said. Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet on the Thunder to win, prosecutors said. The tip proved wrong: Davis played his usual minutes, scored 27 points, and collected 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers victory, prompting Fairley to demand a refund of his $2,500 fee.
Rigged poker scheme
In the poker case, prosecutors allege Jones was among former NBA players used to lure unwitting participants into games rigged using altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, special sunglasses, and X-ray equipment built into the tables. Jones was allegedly paid $2,500 for a game in the Hamptons, where he was instructed to cheat by paying close attention to others involved in the scheme. His instructor likened those targets to James and NBA All-Star Steph Curry, prosecutors said. When in doubt, Jones was told to fold his hand.
According to prosecutors, Jones texted in response: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”
The scheme relied in part on illegal poker games run by New York crime families, according to the indictment. The Gambino, Genovese, and Bonnano crime families required a portion of the proceeds and, in turn, committed violent acts — including assault, extortion, and robbery — to ensure debt repayment and the operation’s continued success, according to court documents.
Jones’s basketball career
Jones earned more than $20 million playing for 10 teams in 11 NBA seasons from 1999 to 2009. A native of Galveston, Texas, he played alongside James in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008. Jones was an assistant coach when the Cavaliers, led by James, won the NBA championship in 2016, and also served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 season.
Other defendants
Jones was arrested in October along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others, including a sports bettor accused of cashing in on injury information. Jones was one of three people charged in both the poker and sports betting schemes.