Damon Jones Enters Not Guilty Plea in Gambling and Fraud Case
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NEW YORK — Former NBA guard and assistant coach Damon Jones pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal charges tied to an alleged rigged poker operation and a separate sports-betting scheme, according to court filings.
Jones, 49, was arraigned in Manhattan after being charged last month with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in two separate indictments. Thirty defendants were named across the cases, and Jones is one of three accused in both.
Prosecutors say Jones exploited inside access to the Los Angeles Lakers — gained through his long-standing friendship with LeBron James — to pass along non-public information to gamblers. Although he never held an official Lakers position, Jones frequently accompanied the team and occasionally traveled on charter flights during the 2022-23 season.
The indictments cite a Feb. 9, 2023 matchup between the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks that James missed. Investigators allege Jones texted a co-conspirator, “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out,” before the lineup news became public.
Sports bettor Marves Fairley, who also pleaded not guilty, is accused of paying Jones roughly $2,500 for a tip concerning Anthony Davis’s playing status. The information proved inaccurate, leading Fairley to demand his money back, prosecutors said.
Jones was released on a $200,000 bond. His bail restricts travel to designated areas of Texas as well as New York City.
Source: HoopsRumors
