NEW YORK (RTW News) — Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, pleaded not guilty Thursday to serious charges involving profiting from rigged poker games and leaking non-public information about injuries to superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to sports bettors.
At 49, Jones' brief court appearances in Brooklyn saw him saying little, as his court-appointed attorney voiced not guilty pleas on his behalf in cases related to a federal crackdown on illicit gambling operations last month.
During the proceedings, Jones confirmed that he had reviewed the indictments and was aware of the terms of his bail, which involves having his mother and stepfather secure a $200,000 bond using their home in Texas.
His defense attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, indicated that they might be in the process of plea negotiations. The next hearing is scheduled for November 24.
Jones was one of over 30 individuals arrested in a sweeping gambling investigation that also implicated notable figures such as Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Allegations against Jones include that he attempted to use insider knowledge to inform betting strategies, including alerting others about James being injured before a February 9 game against the Milwaukee Bucks, resulting in a significant loss for the Lakers.
Moreover, Jones allegedly misled bettors on injury statuses, including a failed tip about Anthony Davis which led to a substantial wager that did not pay off.
As a player, Jones earned over $20 million during his NBA career, playing on multiple teams from 1999 to 2009. After retiring, he served as a shooting consultant for the Cavaliers and was part of the team when they captured the NBA Championship in 2016.
Currently, his charges include wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, with a strict travel restriction to Texas and New York City until his case progresses.
Jones’ involvement in illegal poker games involved being recruited to cheat using sophisticated tactics, further revealing the extent of illegal activities surrounding sports gambling.
