NBA Insider Arrested: Damon Jones Faces Dual Gambling & Mafia Charges
The NBA is reeling from a massive federal crackdown on illegal gambling that led to the arrests of several high-profile figures. The NBA gambling scandal involves over 30 individuals, including current and former players and coaches. While Hall of Fame coach Chauncey Billups and veteran guard Terry Rozier dominated initial headlines, former NBA player and coach Damon Jones has been identified as a key figure, charged in connection with two separate federal criminal conspiracies: an insider sports betting ring and a sophisticated, Mafia-backed poker
1. The Trend Breakdown: Players, Coaches, and Organized Crime
The NBA scandal today is arguably the biggest integrity crisis since the 2007 referee scandal. The FBI investigation, dubbed Operation “Nothing But Bet,” spanned 11 states and targeted two interconnected criminal networks. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the scope of the operation at a press conference, highlighting the involvement of La Cosa Nostra (the Mafia) and the laundering of tens of millions of dollars.
The three most high-profile individuals arrested were:
- Chauncey Billups: The Portland Trail Blazers coach (and former Nuggets coach), known as “Mr. Big Shot,” was arrested in connection with the Mafia-linked poker scheme. Billups, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year and has career earnings of over $106 million (with an estimated net worth of $35 million), is accused of using his status to lure wealthy victims. His wife, Piper Billups, has maintained a low profile amidst the drama.
- Terry Rozier: The Miami Heat guard, nicknamed “Scary Terry,” was arrested for his alleged role in the insider sports betting ring. Rozier, who signed a massive veteran extension ahead of the 2022-2023 season and has career earnings exceeding $160 million, allegedly provided and exploited confidential information for illegal wagers.
- Damon Jones: The former Cavaliers and Lakers associate is the only figure charged in both the insider betting and the rigged poker conspiracies.
2. Exploiting the Locker Room: The Insider Betting Allegations
The insider betting ring focused on exploiting non-public team data. Damon Jones, operating as an unofficial assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, allegedly leveraged his access to supply confidential information to a network of illegal bettors.
The LeBron James Tip-Off and the Rozier Injury
One key piece of evidence involves a February 9, 2023, Lakers game. Prosecutors allege Jones texted a co-conspirator, urging a large bet on the opponent, Milwaukee, because a “prominent NBA player” (Kevin Love‘s former teammate, LeBron James) was unexpectedly out due to injury—information that hadn’t yet been released.
Separately, Terry Rozier‘s arrest stems partly from suspicious activity during his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier allegedly tipped off co-conspirators, including a man named Shane Hennen, that he would leave a March 2023 game early with an injury, coinciding with massive illegal bets placed against his performance props.
3. The Mafia-Linked Poker Scheme
The second, more sinister, indictment links the operation directly to organized crime, including the Gambino Crime Family and the Bonanno Crime Family.
Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were allegedly involved as “face cards” in this operation—celebrity figures used to attract wealthy players to what were, in reality, rigged poker games. The schemes allegedly utilized sophisticated cheating technology, including altered shuffling machines, to ensure the house (and its Mafia backers) always won, defrauding players of millions.
4. Legal Ramifications and Integrity Crisis
The charges against Billups and Rozier—along with the specific allegations against Damon Jones—have sent shockwaves through the league. Both players face two counts each of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The league must now reckon with how gambling has infiltrated its inner circles. This NBA betting scandal represents a clear and present threat to the integrity of the game, creating uncomfortable questions for coaches like Denver‘s Steve Kerr and the league itself as it prepares for NBA games tonight. The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI, is ongoing, and more NBA players arrested or facing charges are possible as the authorities continue to dismantle the wide-reaching network.
You can find more details about the ongoing investigation in this video: FBI Director Kash Patel makes an announcement on illegal gambling tied to NBA stars. This video is relevant as it features Kash Patel, the FBI Director, announcing the scale of the NBA gambling investigation and arrests that include Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones.
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