A co-conspirator in the illegal gambling operation involving former NBA player Jontay Porter is pleading guilty to his role scheme.
Long Phi Pham has agreed to plead guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Pham is pleading guilty in federal court after being provided with insider information from Porter that led to a group of co-conspirators gambling on the former Toronto Raptor. Porter provided Pham and the other co-conspirators with insider information to alleviate his gambling debts.
Porter makes early exits
According to court documents, Porter was encouraged by Pham to pay back his debt by withdrawing from select NBA games. Porter notified Pham and the co-conspirators of his intention to exit a Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers early. As a result, Pham and the co-conspirators placed bets on the “under” play prop markets for Porter. That same day, Porter’s under for three-pointers made was the most bet prop on DraftKings.
Pham and the co-conspirators would again wager on Porter ahead of a March 20 matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Porter notified Pham and the co-conspirators of his intention to leave the game early due to illness. Pham and the group made a trip to an Atlantic City casino ahead of the Kings game to bet more than $100,000 on Porter.
Porter would only play three minutes against the Kings netting the group over $1 million.
The wagers were flagged for suspicious activity by online sportsbooks leading to a report to the NBA and the International Betting Integrity Association. The NBA opened an investigation into the matter leading to the lifetime banishment of Porter from the league.
Consequences for Pham and Porter
Pham, a self-proclaimed pro poker player, attempted to run away from his legal issues after being arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport with a one-way ticket to Australia. Pham also had $12,000 in cash in his possession and three cell phones.
The other co-conspirators in the case are Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah and Ammar Awawdeh. They have yet to enter a plea or be sentenced for their involvement.
Porter is also facing legal consequences for his role in the gambling scheme. In July, Porter plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was released on a $250,000 bond.
Pham, who is free on a $750,000 bond, is scheduled for an April 25 sentencing. Porter will receive his punishment for his role in the coming weeks with his sentencing on Dec. 18. Porter faces up to 20 years in prison and is projected to pay $456,000 in fines.
During the 2023-24 NBA season, Porter’s salary with the Raptors and their G-League affiliate was $410,000. As a result, he is facing forfeiture of personal and real property.
Pham’s role as an underground poker player is also being legally questioned.
The 38-year-old’s plea deal may require him to pay restitution related to illegal poker games that he hasn’t been formally charged in, per Magistrate Judge Sanket Bulsara.