Mar 15, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter (34) points to a spot as he controls the ball against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
- Ex-NBA center Jontay Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a recent sports betting scandal
- Porter today entered his plea in a New York federal court
- Porter said he agreed to leave games early and informed several individuals of his plan to do so to get out from large gambling debts
Jontay Porter, an ex-NBA center for the Toronto Raptors, pled guilty today in a New York federal court for his role in a sports betting scandal earlier this year.
According to the AP, Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is set to be released on bond of $250,000. He’ll be sentenced on Dec. 18 and could face between three-and-a-half to four years in prison.
The NBA banned Porter from the league earlier this year when he was found to have placed several bets on NBA games, several bets against the Toronto Raptors while on the team roster, and actively removing himself from games so “under” bets placed by individuals he owed money to could win.
End of the Road For Porter
News of Porter’s role in the sports betting scandal broke in April when the NBA announced its decision to ban him from the league. An NBA investigation found the backup forward/center provided a sports bettor with confidential information, limited his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and bet on several NBA games.
Porter was found to have bet against the Raptors in a parlay while he traveled, but did not play, with the team earlier this year.
Most concerning, however, was news that broke in June that Porter faked at least two injuries so he could leave games early. He informed several individuals that he owed large gambling debts to about his plan so they could place several large “under” bets on his performance.
In court today, the AP revealed Porter said “I know what I did was wrong, unlawful, and I am deeply sorry.
In addition to potentially serving years in prison, Porter could also be subject to several hefty fines.
Porter’s Involvement in Scandal
According to the findings of the NBA investigation earlier this year, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s online sports betting account. The bets ranged from $15 to $22,000, with Porter betting a total of $54,094 on the NBA. The total payout from the bets was $76,059, netting Porter $21,965.
However, it was revealed in June that Porter had amassed large gambling debts and was leaving games early to help clear those dues, according to the federal government.
At least four other individuals encouraged Porter to leave games early so he could clear gambling debts and ensure certain under prop bets on his performance would hit. The individuals netted more than $1 million in wagers placed on Porter’s performance, according to court documents.
Long Phi Pham, also know as “Bruce,” Timothy McCormack of New York City and Mahmud Mollah of Langhorne, PA, were named as defendants in a federal wire fraud case by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York. A fourth unnamed individual has also been included in the case.
The co-conspirators placed “under prop” bets on Porter’s performance in two NBA games, knowing in advance he would withdraw from those games for health reasons. Porter reportedly informed Pham he would be leaving two Raptors games on Jan. 26 and March 20 early, while McCormack and Mollah placed the bets on his performance.
Porter was allegedly nervous about the scheme, telling Pham and co-conspirators in a group chat on April 4, 2024, that they “might just get hit w a rico,” referring to a racketeering charge, and asked if the group chat participants had “delete[d] all the stuff” from their personal cell phones.
Court documents revealed texts from Porter to the conspirators that if he didn’t participate in the “special” (code for leaving games early) he would face physical harm.
“If I don’t do a special with your terms. Then it’s up. And u hate me and if I don’t get u 8k by Friday you’re coming to Toronto to beat me up,” Porter texted to one of the defendants in early 2024.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
Former University of Missouri basketball player Jontay Porter has recently admitted guilt in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud case. The case stems from allegations that Porter and his family accepted improper benefits while he was a student-athlete at the university.
Porter, who is the younger brother of NBA player Michael Porter Jr., was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school and played two seasons at Missouri before declaring for the NBA draft. However, his career has been marred by injuries and off-court issues, including this recent legal trouble.
According to court documents, Porter and his family were involved in a scheme to accept payments from a sports agent in exchange for his commitment to sign with the agent once he turned professional. This type of arrangement is a violation of NCAA rules and can result in severe penalties for the athlete and the school involved.
Porter’s admission of guilt is a significant development in the case, as it indicates that he is taking responsibility for his actions and cooperating with authorities. It remains to be seen what the consequences will be for him and his family, but it is likely that he will face some form of punishment from the NCAA and potentially legal repercussions as well.
This case serves as a reminder of the pressures and temptations that student-athletes face, especially those with professional aspirations. It also highlights the importance of upholding the integrity of college sports and the need for strict enforcement of rules and regulations to prevent corruption and exploitation.
As Porter navigates this difficult situation, it is important for him to learn from his mistakes and take steps to rebuild his reputation and career. Hopefully, this experience will serve as a wake-up call for him and other young athletes to prioritize ethics and integrity in their pursuit of success in sports.
