Second gambler admits role in scheme involving ex-NBA player Jontay Porter
A second gambler has come forward and admitted their role in a sports betting scheme involving former NBA player Jontay Porter.
Mahmud Mollah on Wednesday pleaded guilty in the gambling case, resulting in a total of three individuals—including Porter—admitting involvement in the scheme. The operation was carried out by having the player deliberately exit games early, allowing informed gamblers to cash in on bets that he would score fewer points than projected by sportsbooks.
Those Involved:
Porter, Mollah and Long Phi Pham have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Two additional suspects have been charged in connection with the scheme but have yet to enter pleas.
Mollah, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is scheduled for sentencing on May 2 in federal court in Brooklyn. He faces a wide range of potential outcomes, from probation to a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Andrew Levin, attorney representing Mollah, declined to comment following a request from the Associated Press on Wednesday.
Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP, File/Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP, File
The Allegations:
A court complaint alleges that Mollah leveraged inside information about Porter’s plans for the March 20 game to place bets that could have generated more than $1 million, to be divided among the conspirators, with 24 percent earmarked for the player. However, the payout was largely thwarted after a betting company grew suspicious and blocked Mollah from collecting the bulk of the winnings.
Porter:
The NBA ultimately investigated and banned Porter for life. He later told a court that he participated in the scam “to get out from under large gambling debts.”
In July, Bleacher Report reported that Porter “has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud,” as part of a case related to the sports betting scandal that ended his career in the world’s top basketball league. Depending on his sentencing, Porter could be imprisoned for up to four years.
The 6-foot-11 power forward/center, younger brother to starting Denver Nuggets small forward Michael Porter Jr., went undrafted out of Missouri in 2019. He initially signed on late into the 2019-20 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, who promptly inked him to a long-term, multiyear deal the subsequent season. Memphis ultimately cut Porter in July 2021. Across just 11 games with the club, he averaged 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds, in 4.9 minutes per tilt.
Porter awaits his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for December 18.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.
