Former NBA player Damon Jones appeared in federal court on charges of involvement in illegal sports betting and poker cases, pleading not guilty to multiple charges. The case involves several basketball figures, including coaches and players, and the NBA has discussed gambling integrity issues with the U.S. Congress.
Jones Appears in Court Over Gambling Scandal
As a former teammate and friend of LeBron James, Damon Jones appeared in Brooklyn Federal Court on Thursday, facing charges of illegally distributing player injury information. The prosecution stated that Jones leaked information about Lakers players missing games and received money, related to the 2018 sports betting legislation, described as "the most blatant" violation. Jones was granted bail for $200,000, with his lawyer stating that property would be used as collateral.
Other Defendants and Gambling Network
In addition to Jones, Mississippi resident Mavis Ferrell also appeared in court on charges of paying bribes, with the case also involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who is accused of deliberately underperforming to benefit gamblers. Another defendant, Deniro Laster, is accused of selling game plan information, with the entire network involving multiple defendants and organized crime elements, with some bail applications being denied.
NBA League Response and Meeting
NBA representatives met with the U.S. Senate Energy Committee in Washington to discuss the league's cooperation with legal gambling companies and leak prevention measures. The meeting did not involve top-level executives, but the Senate has requested NBA internal gambling investigation documents to address the integrity issues raised by the scandal.
