Damon Jones Sets April 28 Change-of-Plea Hearing in Federal Gambling Case
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Former NBA guard and assistant coach Damon Jones is scheduled to change his plea on April 28 in Brooklyn federal court, positioning him to become the first defendant to admit guilt in a wide-ranging gambling investigation that has netted more than 30 arrests, prosecutors said.
The 49-year-old ex-player, who spent 11 seasons with 10 NBA teams, currently faces two separate indictments accusing him of wire fraud conspiracy and money-laundering conspiracy. One case centers on allegedly rigged high-stakes poker games; the other involves the sale of confidential injury information about NBA stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.
Defense stance
Jones previously pleaded not guilty in both matters. His attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, told ABC News that his client “is not cooperating.” Federal prosecutors declined to comment.
Arrest and co-defendants
Jones was taken into custody last October alongside Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and several reputed organized-crime figures. Jones is one of three individuals charged in both the poker and sports betting schemes and remains free on bail.
Alleged injury tips
According to charging documents, Jones tried to capitalize on inside information from his longtime friend LeBron James, texting a co-conspirator on Feb. 9, 2023: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.” James, not yet listed on the injury report, was ultimately ruled out against the Bucks with a lower-body injury, and Los Angeles fell 115-106.
Prosecutors say that on Jan. 15, 2024, sports bettor Marves Fairley paid Jones roughly $2,500 for a tip that Anthony Davis would play limited minutes versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fairley wagered $100,000 on Oklahoma City but lost when Davis logged his normal workload, scoring 27 points with 15 rebounds in a 112-105 Lakers win. Fairley later demanded a refund of the fee, prosecutors said.
Rigged poker operation
In a parallel indictment, authorities allege Jones was paid $2,500 to participate in a Hamptons poker game fixed with altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, specialized sunglasses and X-ray technology embedded in the table. Court filings claim New York’s Gambino, Genovese and Bonnano crime families received a cut of the proceeds and used threats, assault and extortion to enforce debts.
NBA career and coaching
A Galveston, Texas, native, Jones earned more than $20 million during his NBA tenure from 1999 to 2009, playing alongside James in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008. He later served as a shooting consultant for the Cavaliers and was on the coaching staff when Cleveland won the 2016 NBA title. During the 2022-23 season, he worked informally with James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The April 28 hearing will determine whether Jones changes his plea to guilty, potentially setting the tone for remaining defendants in the federal probe.
Source: ESPN
