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Cavaliers' Jones subject of sex offense probe
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-08 09:14
CLEVELAND - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones has been interviewed by
police after an Arizona woman filed a complaint concerning a possible sexual
offense.
 Jones, who signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Cavs last
summer, denied any wrongdoing before Tuesday night's game against Toronto.
"I am fully aware of the false accusations that have been made against me,"
Jones said. "I've been very cooperative with the Westlake police and their
investigation of this whole matter.
"When the investigation is over I feel like I will be vindicated of all
charges. Until the investigation is over I will not be making any more public
statements because I don't want to put the Westlake Police's investigation in
any jeopardy at all."
Earlier in the day, police in Westlake — a suburb 15 miles west of Cleveland
— released a statement saying that they were investigating a possible sex
offense alleged to have occurred on March 3.
In the statement, the police did not identify the complainant or Jones.
"It is unclear at this time what behavior (if any) took place in Westlake and
whether that behavior constitutes an offense," the statement said. "One person
who may have had some role in the matter is a professional athlete. That person
has been cooperative in the investigation."
Jones missed practice on Monday with flu-like symptoms.
Westlake police Capt. Guy Turner could not confirm or deny that Jones was the
athlete they interviewed. He said police were hoping to speak with the woman,
who was recently in the Cleveland area.
After returning to Arizona, she notified local police, who took information
from her and gathered evidence, Turner said.
"Preliminary indications are that something might have happened in Westlake,"
said Turner, who indicated that the investigation could take weeks.
Jones, 29, is averaging 6.8 points and 1.9 assists for the Cavaliers. One of
the NBA's premier 3-point shooters, he was brought in to help Cleveland's woeful
outside shooting. However, Jones, who has played for 10 teams since joining the
league in 1998-99, has struggled with his shot.
Last month, Jones became the first NBA player to sign an endorsement contract
with Li-Ning, China's largest sports apparel maker.
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