Former NBA player Damon Jones pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Brooklyn federal court to charges related to his alleged involvement in an illegal sports gambling ring and a rigged poker game scheme. Jones was released on a 200,000-dollar bond, backed by his mother and stepfather.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Jones was among more than 30 defendants named in two related indictments, and he is one of three individuals charged in both cases.
Prosecutors allege that Jones used inside information about the Los Angeles Lakers to sell confidential details to sports bettors. He allegedly provided private information about a player believed to be LeBron James, informing associates that the player would not play in the February 9, 2023, game, and later sold injury information about another Lakers player the following year.
In a separate indictment, Jones and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups are accused of working with alleged mafia members to defraud other poker players. Prosecutors said Billups was arrested on October 23, and his alleged role in the rigged poker scheme dates back to 2019.
Another defendant, Marves Fairley, who was charged for his alleged involvement in the sports gambling ring, also pleaded not guilty and was released on a 200,000-dollar bond.
Jones, 49, played 11 seasons in the NBA and was a former teammate of LeBron James during James’s first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2014, James invited Jones back as his personal shooting coach, and Jones later became a full-time assistant coach for the Cavaliers. When James moved to Los Angeles, Jones followed him. Although Jones was not formally employed by the Lakers, he was often around the team and was permitted to travel on the team plane for away games.
Prosecutors allege that these connections gave Jones access to information that was improperly shared with gamblers.
