Damon Jones to plead guilty in NBA insider betting information scandal
Former NBA player Damon Jones plans to plead guilty to charges of providing sports bettors with nonpublic injury information concerning Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
According to a court filing cited by ABC News on Thursday, the former guard intends to change his previous not-guilty plea submitted in November.
He will become the first defendant to admit guilt in a wider federal investigation targeting a network of illegal sports gambling.
Leaked messages and incorrect tips
Federal prosecutors accuse the 11-year league veteran of attempting to sell insider knowledge regarding James ahead of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer was not listed on the official injury report at the time, but was later ruled out with a lower-body issue.
Investigators intercepted communications showing the former unofficial Lakers assistant coach instructing a co-conspirator to capitalise on the unreleased news.
Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.
Intercepted text message from Damon Jones
In a separate incident during January 2024, prosecutors allege sports bettor Marves Fairley paid a $2,500 fee for advance warning that Davis would see limited minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Fairley proceeded to place a $100,000 wager on the Thunder, but the expensive insider tip proved to be entirely incorrect.
The standout centre played his regular rotation, contributing 27 points and 15 rebounds in a comfortable 112-105 Los Angeles victory.
Following the significant financial loss, the disgruntled bettor reportedly demanded a full refund of his initial payment.
Wider investigation and ongoing charges
The sweeping federal case also implicates several other individuals, including recently waived Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Rozier maintains his innocence and has formally requested a judge to dismiss the charges against him ahead of a hearing later this month.
During a playing career spanning from 1999 to 2009, the journeyman earned over $20m across stints with 10 different franchises.
He previously shared a locker room with James at the Cleveland Cavaliers between 2005 and 2008, forging a connection that led to his later coaching role.
The retired athlete also faces separate, ongoing charges relating to profiting from rigged poker games, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
