Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones became the first defendant to plead guilty in two federal indictments involving sports betting and rigged poker games. The 49-year-old admitted to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday. Prosecutors said the schemes caused more than $10 million in losses.
Damon Jones, a former NBA player who also coached for the Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court. He acknowledged using insider information from his NBA relationships to place bets and participate in rigged poker games targeting wealthy victims, including athletes. Reading from a prepared statement, Jones said he obtained the information through ties made during his playing career and apologized to his family, colleagues, and the NBA. His sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2027. Federal prosecutors charged 34 defendants across the two indictments, with Jones among three facing both. One case involves sports betting, where Jones allegedly tipped off a bettor about a prominent NBA player's absence, texting: 'Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! [Player 3] is out tonight.' Prosecutors indicated this referred to LeBron James, a former teammate and friend, though James faces no charges. The other indictment covers poker schemes, including a 2019 Las Vegas game using a rigged shuffling machine that defrauded a victim of $50,000. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York stated that Jones 'converted his fame and ties to professional basketball into a multi-faceted criminal betting operation.' Eleven other defendants are expected to reach plea agreements, while Terry Rozier, recently released by the Miami Heat, pleaded not guilty and faces potential additional charges including bribery by mid-May.
