Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is accused of taking part in a sports betting scandal in which he apparently gave away non-public information about Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Jones was named in an unsealed indictment Thursday as part of a widespread gambling investigation that federal officials have dubbed Operation Nothing But Bet. The indictment, filed in the U.S. District of Court of Eastern District of New York, accused six suspects of participating in a scheme to defraud betting companies.
Two incidents from the indictment suggest that Jones tipped off his alleged conspirators to injuries involving James and Davis before the information was made public.
In February 2023, Jones was either a teammate or coach of the player, unnamed, while Jones played on the Cleveland Cavaliers and later coached for the Lakers, the indictment said.
That relationship allowed him access to “non-public information” about that player’s medical status on Feb. 9, 2023, when the Lakers were playing the Milwaukee Bucks, it continued.
Jones allegedly texted his co-conspirator that the player would be out that night and to “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!” according to the indictment.
LeBron James, power forward for the Lakers, was out that night due to a sore left ankle and foot, according to a game recap.
It’s unclear how much money Jones potentially received for the tip, but the Bucks did defeat the Lakers that night.
Jones also allegedly sold other nonpublic information about a Lakers player to conspirators that led to a $100,000 bet against the team during a Jan. 15, 2024, game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to the indictment, Jones gave away information about an athlete identified only as Player 4 being injured before the game. The information was not public at the time and the bet was made hours before the player was listed as “probable” in the NBA’s injury report.
Anthony Davis was the only Lakers player listed as probable on the injury report from that day.
“Ultimately, Player 4 played in the January 15 Game in line with his season average in minutes and performed well, and the Lakers won the game,” the indictment said.
Jones allegedly received $2,500 through a “peer-to-peer mobile payment” after providing the tip.
The former NBA star has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
It’s unclear whether Jones has retained an attorney. Jones was arrested Thursday but court records do not yet list an appearance date for him.