Federal White‑Collar Crime

Former NBA guard Damon Jones has asked a federal court to change his plea to guilty in two gambling- and wire-fraud-related cases, according to recent reporting. The charges stem from allegations that Jones provided inside information about player injuries to bettors; prosecutors say one alleged tip concerned a Feb. 9, 2023 game in which a prominent Lakers player widely identified in coverage as LeBron James did not play because of an ankle injury, and that a second tip about another top Lakers player (widely speculated as Anthony Davis) is accused of backfiring when that player performed well and the Lakers won. Jones's attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, has publicly stated that Jones "is not cooperating," a contested point in public discussion of the case.