Stealing sensitive information
The fallout from the NBA’s betting scandal is continuing. The league has now asked several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, to submit documents and cell phones as part of its ongoing investigation into the matter.
Congress has questioned why the NBA didn’t have credible evidence to explain how players and coaches aided bettors in winning money by revealing injury information.
gave information to bettors about the injuries of LeBron and Anthony Davis
One of the individuals apprehended was Damon Jones, a former teammate and shooting coach of LeBron James, who also had special access to the Lakers. He allegedly gave information to bettors about the injuries of LeBron and Anthony Davis.
In one instance, he told a conspirator on February 9, 2023 to “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out” after learning that LeBron wouldn’t be playing in the game.
Close links to LeBron
Now the NBA is seeking phone records and cell phones from at least ten Lakers employees. This includes the team’s executive administrator Randy Mims and assistant trainer Mike Mancias.
voluntarily given their devices to the NBA’s investigators
Both individuals have voluntarily given their devices to the NBA’s investigators. They are close to LeBron, which is widely reported to be the reason why they’re part of the Lakers organization.
Mims has known LeBron since he was a high school sensation in Ohio and Mancias has worked as the 39-year-old’s personal trainer for about two decades.
Entourage in trouble
While Mancias wasn’t part of the FBI’s indictment last month, prosecutors alleged that the information Jones disclosed to bettors was relayed to him by the team’s trainer.
Jones pleaded not guilty in early November to providing insider betting information. He’s also accused of profiting from Mafia-led, rigged poker games. Jones was a regular in the Lakers locker rooms and team flights despite not having any official credentials.
The NBA is now looking at making significant changes off the back of this scandal. It’s looking at making major changes to injury reporting rules and calling for restrictions on prop bets. The NFL and MLB have made similar prop betting requests to sportsbook operators in recent weeks.
