Damon Jones pleads not guilty to leaking information about LeBron James to bettors

Damon Jones, former NBA player and former teammate of LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges accusing him of profiting from rigged poker games and leaking confidential information about injuries to James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.

Jones, 49, appeared in a federal court in Brooklyn, where his court-appointed lawyer entered not guilty pleas in two cases linked to the large federal operation that last month dismantled an illegal betting network with ties to organized crime. The former player stated that he had read and understood the accusations and will remain free on a $200,000 bond, secured by his parents' home in Texas.

According to prosecutors, Jones provided or attempted to sell non-public information on player injuries before they were officially announced. In February 2023, he allegedly warned a bettor that LeBron James would not play against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading to a bet in favor of the opposing team before the absence was publicly confirmed. In another episode, in January 2024, Jones reportedly received $2,500 for a supposed tip that Anthony Davis would have limited minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the prediction turned out to be wrong.

Additionally, prosecutors accuse him of participating in a rigged poker scheme that used tampered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, and other devices to deceive players. In one of these games, held in the Hamptons, Jones allegedly received $2,500 for his role within the group that orchestrated the cheating.

Embarrassment in the NBA

The former player, who played for ten NBA teams between 1999 and 2009 and later worked as an assistant coach, faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, indicated that they may engage in discussions for a possible plea agreement.

The case is part of a broader investigation involving over 30 individuals, including notable basketball figures such as Chauncey Billups, current head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Terry Rozier, player for the Miami Heat. Jones is scheduled to return to court on November 24 for a new preliminary hearing.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Damon Jones se declara no culpable de filtrar información sobre LeBron James a apostadores