Judge Monica Ramirez Almadani continued on Thursday the scheduled sentencing hearing for former professional poker player Damien LeForbes, who in August 2024 pled guilty to counts of money laundering and running an illegal sportsbook.
In a proceeding at the U.S. District Court for the District of Central California in Santa Ana, Almadani ordered LeForbes and federal prosecutors to file additional briefings by Nov. 5. The pretrial and probation officer assigned to the case must respond by Nov. 19, including “their views on what terms and conditions would apply if the Court were to consider a probationary sentence.”
The actions seem to indicate that a joint brief filed by LeForbes’ attorney and federal prosecutors opposing a pre-sentencing recommendation is under consideration. That brief was filed last Friday, six days before LeForbes was set to be sentenced.
In the memo, both sides agree that LeForbes’ involvement in illegal bookmaking was an “aberration rather than a pattern,” and that given his history and recent actions, a 15-21 month prison sentence is excessive. For comparison, Southern California illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who was sentenced more than a year ago, had more than 700 clients and handled hundred of millions of dollars in illegal bets and was sentenced to 12 months and one day. He has already been released from prison.
LeForbes’ lawyer and prosecutors wrote that because LeForbes was actively participating in counseling, cooperated with the court early, and has a history of supporting himself via legal methods, he should not be sentenced to prison time. In the memo, both parties recommended “a term of probation with a condition that Defendant serve four months of home confinement.” They also stipulate that LeForbes would have to continue individual therapy, attend weekly Gamblers Anonymous meetings, refrain from gambling, and perform 50 hours of community service during his first year of probation.
Almadani rescheduled sentencing to Dec. 10.
Clase, Ortiz trial expected to take 18 days
In the illegal sports betting case against Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, federal prosecutors and the players’ lawyers estimated on Oct. 9 that the trial will take about 18 days. Prosecutors estimate it will take about 15 days to present their case, while lawyers for Clase and Ortiz said their defense would last approximately three days.
The trial is set to start Nov. 2 at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
The government also submitted a brief outlining its plans at trial, including questions it would use during jury selection and explanations of each charge. Both players are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting events by bribery after allegedly agreeing to make certain pitches at certain times and sharing that information with bettors so they could wager on certain pitches.
Both players are also accused of taking bribes for making those pitches in multiple games in 2023-25. Both are on unpaid disciplinary leave as their Guardians teammates play in the American League Championship Series.
Other news in scandal cases
- On Oct. 6, a judge granted Damon Jones’ request to travel on four occasions to coach a youth basketball team. In addition, prosecutors Thursday filed a brief requesting Jones forfeit $35,000 as part of his punishment. Jones pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in April and his sentencing is set for Jan. 7, 2027 in Brooklyn.
- Jalen Smith, whom prosecutors dubbed “the fixer” in an NCAA scandal, was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison by a Pennsylvania judge and must report to a prison to be named by noon local time Dec. 1. According to the court docket, Smith will serve 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Smith was sentenced to 72 months in prison, but in federal cases, prisoners must serve at least 85% of their sentence. Smith was a key player in a betting scheme that involved 29 college basketball players at 17 schools and affected the outcomes of 39 games over a two-year span.
