A former NBA player and assistant coach has become the first defendant to accept a plea agreement in a sweeping federal gambling investigation that resulted in more than two dozen arrests.
Damon Jones, 49, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud during a Tuesday hearing in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. His plea comes just one day after prosecutors announced additional charges against former Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association,” Jones stated during his brief courtroom appearance.
The former player admitted his involvement in what federal authorities dubbed “Operation Royal Flush,” serving as a “face card” in at least three fraudulent poker games spanning from October 2020 through September 2023. Jones acknowledged participating in two Miami-based games while knowing they were rigged.
Prosecutors presented evidence placing Jones at all three games through witness statements, recovered text messages from confiscated phones and iCloud accounts, and wire transfer activity showing interstate fund movements. The investigation uncovered sophisticated technology that enabled undetectable cheating, according to prosecutors.
Jones is scheduled for sentencing in January 2027.
The guilty pleas were entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo in two separate federal cases naming Jones: U.S. v. Earnest and U.S. v. Aiello.
Court documents indicate a sentencing range of five years to 78 months was established prior to his arraignment last year. As part of Tuesday’s agreement, Jones consented to forfeit at least $38,000 in winnings obtained through the scheme.
During his 11-season NBA career, Jones played alongside LeBron James in Cleveland and Miami before transitioning to an unofficial coaching role with the Lakers. Prosecutors alleged he provided confidential information, including details about James’ injury status for a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, to benefit a professionally-connected gambling operation.
The maximum sentence for that case is 27 months.
After initially entering a not guilty plea in December, Jones could receive up to two years credit for accepting the plea agreement.
