Prosecutors allege Jones used his access to the Los Angeles Lakers and his proximity to James as a personal shooting coach to obtain and sell non-public information to bettors. The indictment says Jones operated in an unofficial capacity with the Lakers when he provided injury-related information about a prominent player.
One key incident centers on a February 9, 2023 game between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. Jones allegedly told a co-conspirator to bet heavily on the Bucks because a player matching James’ description would not play, even though James had not publicly been ruled out. The Bucks won that game.
A second alleged instance involves confidential health information about another Lakers player ahead of a January 15, 2024 game. Prosecutors say Jones provided the details to a co-defendant, who shared them with bettors and placed roughly a $100,000 wager on the Lakers to lose. The Lakers won, and the co-defendant later sought repayment of a $2,500 information fee.
Authorities say Jones began attempting to sell insider information as early as December 2022. He is one of six defendants in the case and the first to signal intent to plead guilty; LeBron James is not accused of wrongdoing, and James has been described as unaware of the leaked information.
Separately, Jones faces allegations in a separate federal gambling investigation linked to a rigged poker operation involving Chauncey Billups. Jones has pleaded not guilty in that matter, which underscores broader concerns about integrity amid the expanding legalization of sports betting.
