Damon Jones, NBA Insider Betting and Rigged Poker Schemes, New York 2024

Former National Basketball Association player and coach Damon Jones has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. The guilty pleas were entered in two separate cases, with one count related to a scheme to use inside information from multiple NBA teams, players, and coaches to profit from illegal betting activity, and the other count related to participating in a scheme to rig illegal poker games across the country.

The loss amount for both cases totals more than $10 million. Jones was a professional basketball player with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008 and later served on the coaching staffs of the Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

As stated by United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., Damon Jones 'converted his fame and ties to professional basketball into a multi-faceted criminal betting operation. He used private locker room and medical information from multiple NBA teams to cheat legitimate sportsbooks. He also, separately, lured unsuspecting victims to high-stakes rigged poker games.'

According to the guilty pleas, Jones will face the consequences for his corrupt conduct. Insider betting and rigged poker schemes erode the integrity of American sports and fair contest. This Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to profit through fraud and corruption.'

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle stated, 'Former NBA player Damon Jones admitted to exploiting his profession and fame to help others cheat in two separate rigged betting schemes. With our federal and local law enforcement partners, the FBI continues to hold accountable those who threaten the integrity of American sports.'

HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso stated, 'As today's plea makes clear, Damon Jones used his presence at underground card tables to fuel fraudulent betting and fixed poker schemes that stole millions from victims. Status, access, and a high-profile career do not exempt any individual from answering for criminal conduct.'

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch stated, 'The defendant in this case traded his reputation for greed and fraud. By exploiting his access to the NBA, and rigging illegal poker games across the country, Damon Jones attempted to orchestrate a scheme that defrauded victims of millions of dollars.'

New York Waterfront Commission Executive Director Phoebe S. Sorial stated, 'While his unsuspecting victims believed Damon Jones was playing by the rules, he was playing an entirely different game. He used his celebrity as the opening bet and when it was time to cash in, he enriched not only himself but also some of the most notorious La Cosa Nostra crime families.'

Damon Jones, a former National Basketball Association player and coach, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. The guilty pleas were entered in two separate cases, with one count related to a scheme to use inside information from multiple NBA teams, players, and coaches to profit from illegal betting activity, and the other count related to participating in a scheme to rig illegal poker games across the country. The loss amount for both cases totals more than $10 million.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-national-basketball-association-player-and-coach-damon-jones-pleads-guilty-his