Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones has entered not guilty pleas in two separate federal cases in Brooklyn that prosecutors say stem from sprawling gambling operations involving both rigged high-stakes poker and alleged use of non-public injury information tied to NBA games. He appeared for back-to-back arraignments, with a court-appointed lawyer entering the pleas on his behalf. Jones, who resides in Texas, is permitted to remain free ahead of trial on a US$200,000 bond secured by his family’s Texas residence, under conditions that restrict travel and bar him from gambling or contacting organized crime.

Two Tracks: Injury-Info Bets and Rigged Poker

Prosecutors allege that one strand of the cases focused on sports betting informed by non-public injury details. According to the indictment, Jones messaged a co-conspirator on February 9, 2023: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! [Player 3] is out tonight.” That night, LeBron James—Jones’s former Cleveland teammate and a longtime friend—did not play for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks due to an ankle issue. A separate episode described by prosecutors says Marves Fairley paid Jones about US$2,500 on January 15, 2024 for a tip that Anthony Davis would have limited minutes against Oklahoma City; Davis instead logged his normal workload and produced a 27-point, 15-rebound line in a Lakers win, after which Fairley sought a refund of the fee.

The other case concerns a poker operation that, prosecutors say, used altered shuffling machines, hidden cameras, X-ray-equipped tables, and specialty glasses to identify marked cards. Jones is alleged to have been one of the recognizable “face cards” used to entice wealthy participants into games whose outcomes were secretly manipulated. In one instance, the indictment states he was paid US$2,500 to play in the Hamptons and instructed on how to coordinate with others at the table; in response, he allegedly texted: “y’all know I know what I’m doing!!”

According to SBC News, the federal takedown encompassed more than 30 defendants across two indictments. Among those charged are reputed members of New York crime families and notable basketball figures. Prosecutors say Chauncey Billups (Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Famer) and Terry Rozier (Miami Heat guard) are among those named; both are scheduled for proceedings on November 24 and had not entered pleas at the time described. Fairley appeared in court alongside Jones and pleaded not guilty as well, obtaining release on a US$200,000 bond guaranteed by family and community members.

In the poker matter, the government links aspects of the operation to the Gambino, Genovese, and Bonanno crime families, alleging proceeds-sharing arrangements and, in some instances, violent enforcement tactics to secure repayments. The filings also describe Angelo Ruggiero, Jr.—whom prosecutors identify with the Genovese family—having a US$5 million bond bid rejected by U.S. District Judge Ramon Reyes. An alleged key organizer, Robert Stroud (67), pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Taryn Merkel; authorities say a search tied to the case uncovered poker chips and hidden cameras at a Florida residence, and they cited his prior conviction for reckless homicide while arguing to keep tight restrictions in place. The court ordered Stroud to remain on home confinement.

Representation, Proceedings, and Jones’s Background

Jones is represented by Kenneth J. (Kenneth) Montgomery, appointed under the CJA to handle both cases. In court, Montgomery indicated they “may be engaging in plea negotiations.” Jones acknowledged reading the indictments and understanding the charges and bail terms. As part of his release conditions, his travel is limited to designated parts of Texas and New York City; he may use his passport for identification until he secures a REAL ID. Separately, the bond terms in one filing specify that Jones must not gamble online or in physical venues and must refrain from any contact with organized crime.

A veteran of 11 NBA seasons (1999–2009) with 10 teams, Jones earned over US$20 million as a player and famously once declared himself “the best shooter in the world.” He later served as a “shooting consultant” with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was on the staff when the Cavaliers captured the 2016 NBA championship. Prosecutors also describe instructions he allegedly received for the poker scheme—down to when to fold—and note that conspirators compared certain collaborators to stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry when explaining table dynamics.

The cases return to court November 24 for a preliminary conference with other defendants. For now, Jones maintains his innocence on charges that include wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, as the government continues to press claims of coordinated cheating at poker tables and illicit trading in sensitive injury information around NBA contests.