Ex-NBA player Damon Jones to plead guilty in gambling sweep that saw more than 30 arrests
Former teammate of LeBron James charged with cashing in on rigged poker games, giving sports bettors non-public injury information about stars
Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is set to plead guilty on Tuesday to charges he cashed in on rigged poker games and gave sports bettors non-public injury information about stars, including his one-time teammate LeBron James.
Barring a last-minute change, Jones will become the first person to plead guilty in a gambling sweep that led to the arrests of more than 30 people, including reputed mobsters and other basketball figures.
None of the other defendants have shown a willingness to plead guilty. On Monday, prosecutors said they were seeking additional charges against a co-defendant in the betting case, former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Jones, 49, is scheduled to appear at back-to-back plea change hearings in Brooklyn federal court before Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo. Court records show he is expected to plead guilty to at least one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Jones previously pleaded not guilty in both cases to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money-laundering conspiracy. Both charges carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. He remains free on bail.
Jones’ lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, declined to comment.
