Particle.news
Download on the App Store

NBA Expands Gambling Probe With Requests for Lakers Staff Phones and Records

An outside law firm is collecting devices in response to federal cases under congressional scrutiny.

Overview

  • The NBA retained Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to run the inquiry and has told teams to preserve and produce records, including phones.
  • Investigators are expected to seek phones and phone records from at least 10 Lakers employees, with assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims already cooperating.
  • Multiple franchises were contacted after DOJ indictments tied NBA figures to illegal betting and rigged poker schemes, and defendants have pleaded not guilty.
  • Prosecutors allege former Lakers staffer Damon Jones sold nonpublic injury information on two Lakers players; LeBron James, Mancias and Mims are not charged or named in filings.
  • The league is evaluating tighter injury-reporting rules as Congress presses for briefings and documents on integrity safeguards and sportsbook relationships.