Damon Jones, a former NBA participant and assistant coach, is scheduled to seem in federal court docket later this month as a part of a wide-ranging playing investigation that has implicated dozens of people. Courtroom filings point out that Jones, 49, has change-of-plea hearings set for April 28 in Brooklyn, the place he’s anticipated to revise his earlier not responsible pleas in not less than one of many circumstances in opposition to him.
The proceedings stem from two separate federal indictments accusing Jones of involvement in unlawful sports activities betting and rigged poker operations. Authorities have charged greater than 30 individuals throughout each circumstances, together with skilled athletes and people alleged to have ties to organized crime. Jones is amongst a small group of defendants named in each indictments.
Initially, Jones denied the costs when he entered a not responsible plea in November 2025. The upcoming listening to indicators a shift in his authorized technique, although his lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, acknowledged, “He’s not cooperating.” Federal prosecutors haven’t commented publicly on the case.
Allegations Involving Insider Info and Betting Exercise
In keeping with ESPN, prosecutors allege that Jones used entry to nonpublic data to help sports activities bettors. In keeping with court docket paperwork, one occasion concerned a February 9, 2023, recreation between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. Jones allegedly knowledgeable associates that LeBron James wouldn’t play, regardless of the participant not showing on the official damage report on the time.
In a textual content message cited within the indictment, Jones wrote: “Get a giant guess on Milwaukee tonight earlier than the knowledge is out.” He additionally urged associates to wager sufficient cash so he may share in any winnings. James finally missed the sport attributable to a lower-body damage, and the Lakers misplaced 115-106.
Authorities say bettors used that data to revenue. U.S. Lawyer Joseph Nocella Jr. described the alleged conduct, stating, “As alleged, the defendants turned skilled basketball right into a prison betting operation, utilizing personal locker room and medical data to complement themselves and cheat respectable sportsbooks,” including, “This was a classy conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential data for revenue.”
A separate allegation entails a January 2024 transaction through which a bettor paid Jones roughly $2,500 for details about Anthony Davis’ anticipated enjoying time. The bettor positioned a $100,000 wager primarily based on the tip, anticipating diminished minutes for Davis. Nonetheless, Davis performed a full recreation, scoring 27 factors and recording 15 rebounds in a Lakers victory. The bettor later sought a refund, although prosecutors say Jones maintained the knowledge had been credible.
Poker Scheme Allegations and Broader Investigation
Along with the sports activities betting accusations, Jones can be charged in a separate case involving rigged poker video games. Prosecutors declare that he and others helped lure gamers into video games that had been manipulated utilizing specialised gear, together with altered card shuffling units, hid cameras, and tables geared up with superior know-how.
Jones is described within the indictment as a “face card,” that means a recognizable determine used to draw contributors to the video games. In keeping with investigators, these poker operations had been related to unlawful playing networks linked to organized crime households, which allegedly acquired a share of the proceeds.
Courtroom paperwork additional allege that contributors within the scheme relied on techniques designed to make sure winnings, together with coordination amongst gamers and directions on when to fold or proceed betting. In a single change cited by prosecutors, Jones responded to steering from co-conspirators by texting: “y’all know I do know what I’m doing!!”
Authorities additionally declare that people tied to the broader operation engaged in crimes comparable to extortion and theft to implement money owed and preserve management over the playing actions.
Profession Background and Ongoing Proceedings
Jones performed 11 seasons within the NBA from 1999 to 2009, showing for 10 groups and incomes greater than $20 million throughout his profession. He spent a part of his enjoying years alongside LeBron James in Cleveland and later labored in a training capability, together with serving as an unofficial assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers through the 2022-23 season.
Following his enjoying profession, he additionally labored as a capturing guide and was a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ teaching workers when the workforce received the NBA championship in 2016.
Regardless of the costs, Jones stays free on bail because the authorized course of continues. His upcoming court docket look is anticipated to supply additional readability on how he intends to proceed in not less than one of many circumstances, whereas the broader investigation involving a number of defendants stays ongoing.
