NEW YORK — Former professional basketball player and assistant coach Damon Jones will likely become the initial defendant to enter a guilty plea in a sweeping gambling investigation that resulted in more than 30 arrests, including alleged organized crime members and other basketball personalities.
Court documents filed Thursday reveal that Jones has a plea change hearing set for May 6 in federal court in Brooklyn.
The 49-year-old Jones had initially entered not guilty pleas to two separate indictments. The charges accuse him of benefiting from manipulated poker games and sharing confidential injury information about NBA superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis with sports gamblers.
Both cases include charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy against Jones.
His attorney Kenneth Montgomery could not be reached for comment immediately. During Jones’ November court appearances, Montgomery informed the judge that they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.”
The arrest of Jones occurred in October alongside Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Fame member Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, and several others, including a gambler accused of profiting from insider injury details.
Among all defendants, Jones faces charges in both the poker manipulation and sports betting conspiracies. He continues to remain out of custody on bond.
Born in Galveston, Texas, Jones accumulated over $20 million during his professional career, playing for 10 different franchises across 11 seasons between 1999 and 2009. He was teammates with James in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008 and worked as an unofficial assistant coach with James’ Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-2023 campaign.
Federal prosecutors allege that Jones sold or tried to sell confidential information to gamblers regarding James’ injury status before a February 9, 2023, matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. He allegedly texted an unidentified accomplice: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”
At the time Jones sent the message, James wasn’t included on the Lakers’ official injury report. However, the NBA’s career scoring champion was subsequently ruled out due to a lower body ailment, and Milwaukee defeated Los Angeles 115-106.
On January 15, 2024, authorities claim sports gambler Marves Fairley compensated Jones roughly $2,500 for inside information that Davis, then the Lakers’ forward-center, would have restricted playing time against Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury.
Fairley subsequently wagered $100,000 on the Thunder to win, but the information proved inaccurate. Davis played his typical minutes, recording 27 points and 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers victory, leading Fairley to request a $2,500 refund, according to prosecutors.
Regarding the poker conspiracy, authorities say Jones was among former NBA athletes recruited to attract unsuspecting players into rigged games using modified shuffling devices, concealed cameras, specialized eyewear, and even X-ray technology embedded in tables.
The indictment states Jones received $2,500 for participating in a Hamptons game where he was directed to cheat by carefully observing other scheme participants. His instructor compared those individuals to James and NBA All-Star Stephen Curry. When uncertain, Jones was advised to fold, prosecutors stated.
Jones allegedly responded via text: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”
The poker operation frequently utilized illegal games controlled by New York organized crime families, requiring operators to share profits with the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno crime families.
These crime family members also participated in violent activities, including assault, extortion, and robbery, to ensure debt collection and maintain operational success, court documents indicate.
Known for his three-point shooting ability, Jones once declared himself in an insidehoops.com interview as “the best shooter in the world.” He appeared in every regular season contest for three straight seasons from 2003 to 2006.
Following his playing career, he served as a “shooting consultant” for the Cavaliers and worked as an assistant coach when the James-led team captured the NBA championship in 2016.
