Damon Jones, the former NBA player and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach indicted with Terry Rozier and four others in November on federal charges of conspiring to rig NBA outcomes and peddle inside information, has requested a hearing with the Eastern District of New York to change his plea.
Jones pleaded not guilty in November to one count of wire fraud conspiracy and two counts of money laundering, but ESPN reported at the time that he was already in discussions for a plea deal. His plea hearing is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn.
Jones’ attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, however, told ABC News in New York that his client is “not cooperating” with prosecutors against his co-conspirators, who also pleaded not guilty. Jones is the first of the group to request a change of plea.
Jones accused of dealing non-public tidbit
Jones is accused of providing non-public information from his league contacts so that gamblers could make more informed bets on NBA games than the general public. Specifically, he’s accused of providing information that LeBron James would not play in a Feb. 9, 2023 game against Milwaukee. Jones is alleged to have texted to gamblers: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! [Player 3] is out tonight. Bet enough so Djones can eat.”
James is not named in the charging documents, but was the only rostered player not to dress against the Bucks, who won, 115-106.
Federal prosecutors will file documents by next week updating which charges will have a change of plea.
Jones is also named as a co-conspirator in the so-called “rigged poker” case in the EDNY where sports celebrities including then-Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were allegedly used to lure in high-value players to scam. Jones pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges in that case.
Rozier, who was waived by the Miami Heat last week, has pleaded not guilty and asked for a dismissal.
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