Ex-NBA Player Damon Jones Set to Plead Guilty in Gambling Probe
NEW YORK – Former NBA player Damon Jones is expected to plead guilty in a federal gambling case tied to insider betting and rigged poker games, marking the first guilty plea in a wider investigation that has led to more than 30 arrests.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Jones, 49, is scheduled to appear in Brooklyn federal court for a change of plea hearing, where he is expected to admit to at least one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case forms part of a broader probe into the use of nonpublic information and manipulated gaming setups to generate betting profits.
Prosecutors allege that Jones provided sports bettors with inside information about player injuries, including details involving high-profile NBA figures such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The information was allegedly used to place wagers tied to player performance and availability.
Insider Information at the Center of the Case
According to court filings, Jones is accused of selling or attempting to sell nonpublic information about whether certain players would appear in games or have reduced playing time. Authorities say such information gave bettors an advantage in prop betting markets linked to individual performance.
The allegations place Jones among several individuals charged in a network that prosecutors say relied on access to insider knowledge across the league. The case has drawn attention to the risks surrounding the flow of sensitive information in professional sports as betting markets expand.
Jones previously pleaded not guilty to charges including wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Both charges carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. He has remained free on bail since his arrest last October.
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Rigged Poker Games Alleged
The investigation also includes claims that Jones participated in a separate scheme involving manipulated poker games. Prosecutors say former NBA players were used to attract participants to games that were rigged using specialized equipment.
Authorities allege the games involved altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras and other tools designed to provide an advantage to those running the operation. In one instance, Jones is said to have been paid to take part in a game while following instructions from others involved in the scheme.
Wider Gambling Investigation Continues
Jones is one of several defendants linked to the broader investigation, which has also implicated current and former basketball figures. Prosecutors have indicated that additional charges may be brought against other individuals connected to the case.
The expected guilty plea would mark the first admission of wrongdoing in the investigation, which authorities say spans both sports betting activity and illegal gambling operations.
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny around betting integrity and the handling of nonpublic information in professional sports, particularly as regulated wagering continues to grow across the United States.
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