Terry Rozier’s co-conspirator, Damon Jones, will change plea to guilty
Damon Jones, the former NBA player and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach indicted along with Terry Rozier and four others in November on federal charges of conspiring to manipulate NBA results and peddling inside information, has requested a hearing with the Eastern District of New York to amend 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 negotiations for a plea deal. His plea hearing is scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn.
Announcement
Jones’ lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, however, told ABC News New York that his client is “not cooperating” with prosecutors against his co-conspirators, who have pleaded not guilty. Jones is the first of the group to request a change of tune.
Jones charged with dealing in non-public information
Jones is accused of providing non-public information from his contacts in the league so gamblers could make more informed bets on NBA games than the general public. Specifically, he is accused of providing information that LeBron James would not play in the February 9, 2023 game against Milwaukee. Jones is alleged to have sent a message to gamblers: “Make a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information gets out! [Player 3] comes out tonight. Bet enough for Djones to eat.
James is not named in the charging documents, but he was the only player on the roster not to dress against the Bucks, who won, 115-106.
Announcement
Federal prosecutors will file paperwork within the 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 EDNY, where sports celebrities including then-Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were allegedly used to lure high-value players to cheat. Jones has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges in that case.
Rozier, who was released by the Miami Heat last week, has pleaded not guilty and asked for dismissal.