Former NBA player Damon Jones became the first person toplead guiltyin a pair of federal indictments involving34 defendants, including some with alleged links to the mafia and other NBA figures.
Jones, 49, was among three people charged in both indictments, one of which focused on poker schemes in which wealthy victims were allegedly lured to play in rigged games against athletes. The other focuses on sports betting, accusing the formerCleveland Cavaliersguard of using inside information to place bets.
In total, Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy Tuesday.
Reading from a prepared statement inside Brooklyn federal court in the first of two hearings, Jones acknowledged he used "insider information" he obtained from the relationships he made during his time as a player, the Associated Press reported.
He apologized to his family, colleagues and the NBA as part of his statement.
CBS News has reached out to his attorney for comment.
In the sports betting case, federal prosecutors accused Jones of sending a tip about "a prominent NBA player, saying: 'Get a big bet onMilwaukeetonight before the information is out! [Player 3] is out tonight.'" Heappears to be referring to LeBron James, a former teammate and longtime friend. James is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors have not indicated that pleas are expected for other defendants in the sports betting cases. On Monday,Miami HeatplayerTerry Rozierwhopleaded not guiltyto charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, appeared in court for a motionto dismisshis case.
Instead, federal prosecutors said during the hearing that they intend to bring additional charges – including bribery and wire fraud – against the NBA star by mid-May.
Prosecutors accused Jones of participating in a rigged poker game in Las Vegas in 2019, court documents said, that used a device described as a "rigged shuffling machine" that was secretly altered to read the cards. The FBI said a victim was defrauded of $50,000 in that game.
Eleven other defendants caught up in the investigation areset to make pleaagreements.
Jones' sentencing is set for Jan. 6, 2027, the AP reported.