Former NBA player Damon Jones has pleaded not guilty to giving inside information about player injuries to sports bettors. He also denies profiting from rigged poker games. He is one of 34 people arrested as part of a sweeping crackdown by the FBI last month.
The Ohio native’s lawyer told the judge during Thursday’s arraignment in a Brooklyn federal court that his client “may be engaging in plea negotiations.” Jones is out on bail after his mother and stepfather used their home in Texas as collateral as part of the $200,000 bond.
Jones allegedly leaked insider information about injuries to players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. A former teammate of LeBron, Jones also served as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2016 to 2018, when James returned to his home-state team.
Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”
Prosecutors highlighted one instance when Jones messaged another defendant that LeBron had an injury that would prevent him from playing in a game in February 2023. The text read, “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.”
Jones was allegedly paid $2,500 another time for giving a tip about limited play time for Anthony Davis.
Prosecutors also claim that Jones knew about the rigged poker games and lured unknowing players. He allegedly got $2,500 for cheating in a game in the Hamptons.
