Introduction to the Scandal
When former NBA player Damon Jones, who has been accused of feeding inside information to sports gamblers, first filed for bankruptcy in 2013, he had to list his Yorkshire Terrier as an asset. The unnamed pooch was valued, according to the court documents, at just $1.
Financial Woes and Bankruptcy
A decade later, Jones was a few months away from being evicted from a luxury Houston apartment building when prosecutors allege he texted a co-conspirator and urged him to bet on the Milwaukee Bucks against the Los Angeles because a top Lakers player, believed to be LeBron James, was out with an injury. NBC News reviewed more than 150 pages of court documents from Jones, including financial forms, spanning more than a decade that show persistent financial problems for the ex-athlete. In addition to the eviction proceedings, Jones listed his 2016 NBA championship ring as collateral for a personal loan and was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
Operation Nothing But Bet and Operation Royal Flush
“Operation Nothing But Bet” is one of two sprawling federal investigations into illegal gambling that were unveiled Oct. 23, the other being a probe of rigged high-stakes poker games allegedly backed by the Mafia called “Operation Royal Flush” which led to the arrests of several people, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. Prosecutors said the evidence in the latter case includes “financial records, telephone records, cellphone records and texts, cellphone extractions and location information, the contents of Apple iCloud accounts, witness testimony, and surveillance photographs.”
Jones’ Current Situation
Jones has yet to enter a plea, but is due in federal court for his arraignment in New York. Jones’ lawyer declined to comment. Jones’ current address, according to available records, appears to be the Houston apartment that a property management company tried to evict him from in June 2023, claiming he owed around $5,600 in rent, records show.
History of Financial Issues
The management company dismissed the case after Jones failed to appear in court. But in August 2023, the company filed another eviction notice against Jones, this time claiming he owed more than $11,000 in back rent. Once again, Jones failed to appear in court and the judge issued a default judgment in favor of the company, granting it possession of the apartment and slapping Jones with a monetary judgment of $11,240, records show. When the court tried to mail Jones a copy of the default judgment, the notice was returned due to an insufficient address.
Other Accused Individuals
Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested Thursday in a FBI probe into illegal sports betting. Jones was one of more than 30 people arrested in the operations. Also nabbed was Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who is accused of faking an injury to take himself out of a game in 2023 when he played for the Charlotte Hornets, giving a heads up to a friend who, in turn, “sold that tip” to gamblers betting on that Hornets versus New Orleans Pelicans game.
Conclusion
The cases of Damon Jones and Terry Rozier highlight the deep-seated issues of financial mismanagement and the allure of easy money through illicit means that can plague professional athletes. The consequences of their actions are not only legal but also reflect poorly on the sports they represent. It remains to be seen how these cases will unfold, but they serve as a reminder of the importance of financial literacy and the dangers of involvement in illegal activities.
FAQs
- Q: What is Damon Jones accused of?
A: Damon Jones is accused of feeding inside information to sports gamblers. - Q: What operation is Jones involved in?
A: Jones is involved in “Operation Nothing But Bet,” a federal investigation into illegal gambling. - Q: What is Terry Rozier accused of?
A: Terry Rozier is accused of faking an injury to take himself out of a game and giving a heads up to a friend who then sold the tip to gamblers. - Q: How many people were arrested in the operations?
A: More than 30 people were arrested in the operations, including Damon Jones and Terry Rozier. - Q: What is the status of Jones’ bankruptcy case?
A: Jones’ initial bankruptcy case was dismissed, and the status of his second bankruptcy case is unclear.
