Ex-NBA participant Damon Jones set to plead responsible in playing sweep that netted greater than 30 arrests

[ad_1] NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA participant and assistant coach Damon Jones is ready to plead responsible Tuesday to fees he cashed in on rigged poker video games and gave sports activities bettors nonpublic damage details about stars, together with his one-time teammate LeBron James.

Barring a last-minute change, Jones will turn into the primary individual to plead responsible in a playing sweep that led to the arrests of greater than 30 individuals, together with reputed mobsters and different basketball figures.

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Not one of the different defendants have proven a willingness to plead responsible. On Monday, prosecutors stated they have been looking for further fees towards a co-defendant within the betting case, former Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier.

Jones, 49, is scheduled to look at back-to-back plea change hearings in Brooklyn federal courtroom earlier than Magistriate Choose Joseph Marutollo. Court docket information present he's anticipated to plead responsible to not less than one depend of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Jones beforehand pleaded not responsible in each instances to fees of wire fraud conspiracy and cash laundering conspiracy. Each fees carry a most punishment of 20 years in jail. He stays free on bail.

Jones’ lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, declined to remark.

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Jones was arrested final October together with Rozier, Portland Path Blazers head coach and Basketball Corridor of Famer Chauncey Billups, and others, together with a sports activities bettor accused of cashing in on damage data.

Jones was one among three individuals charged in each the poker and sports activities betting schemes.

Jones, initially from Galveston, Texas, earned greater than $20 million taking part in for 10 groups in 11 seasons from 1999 to 2009. He and James performed collectively in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008, and Jones served as an unofficial assistant coach for James’ Los Angeles Lakers through the 2022-2023 season.

Prosecutors say Jones offered or tried to promote nonpublic data to bettors that James and former Lakers ahead Anthony Davis have been injured and both wouldn’t be taking part in or would play much less time in sure video games.

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Within the poker scheme, prosecutors say Jones was amongst former NBA gamers used to lure unwitting gamers into poker video games that have been rigged utilizing altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, particular sun shades and even X-ray gear constructed into the desk.

In keeping with the indictment, Jones was paid $2,500 for a sport within the Hamptons the place he was instructed to cheat by paying shut consideration to others concerned within the scheme. When unsure, Jones was instructed to fold his hand, prosecutors stated.