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.