Former NBA Player Jontay Porter Faces Federal Felony Charges
Also Under Investigation in Canada
Jontay Porter, a former player for the Toronto Raptors, is facing federal charges in the U.S. related to his alleged role in an illegal gambling operation that led to his lifetime ban from the NBA.
A filing from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York lists Porter as a defendant, facing felony charges. Reports from New York suggest Porter intends to plead guilty, with his arraignment and plea agreement hearing scheduled for July 10.
An NBA investigation earlier this year revealed that Porter had shared insider information with co-conspirators to offset gambling debts. He also allegedly manipulated his performance to ensure certain player prop bets would succeed.
The co-conspirators—Long Phi Pham, Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah, and Ammar Awawdeh—are also facing charges in the U.S. for defrauding a sports betting company.
The charges focus on two Raptors games, one in January against the Los Angeles Clippers and another in March versus the Sacramento Kings. In both instances, Porter reportedly informed his co-conspirators of his intention to leave the games early. This information allowed them to place successful bets on player props, earning them over $1 million USD combined as Porter's early exits ensured the "under" bets paid out.
Suspicious activity surrounding the online wagers prompted the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) to report to the FBI, leading to an NBA investigation.
Canadian Authorities Also Investigating
Porter is also under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), through the OPP’s Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB), conducted its own probe, concluding that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a police investigation.
"The IEB has completed their assessment of available information regarding the reported online betting irregularities from the January 26 and March 20, 2024 Raptors games and determined that a criminal investigation is warranted," Sgt. Robert Simpson told Canadian Gaming Business last month.
The OPP IEB is coordinating with U.S. federal authorities as their investigation continues. To maintain the integrity of the investigation, further details are currently withheld.
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I’m curious to see how this investigation in Canada unfolds. It’s rare to see such international cooperation in sports investigations, but it’s crucial for maintaining fairness across all levels of the game.
The authorities need to throw the book at everyone involved in this scheme. Gambling scandals can ruin the reputation of the entire league. Kudos to the NBA and law enforcement for taking swift action.
The integrity of sports is so important. It's a shame that someone with Porter's talent chose to go down this path. Hopefully, this serves as a wake-up call to other players who might be tempted to engage in illegal activities.
It's really disappointing to hear about Jontay Porter. He had so much potential, and now his career is completely tarnished. I hope the NBA continues to crack down on this kind of behavior to keep the game clean.