Current:Home > ContactMan pleads guilty in betting scheme that ensnared ex-NBA player Jontay Porter -Stellar Wealth Sphere
Man pleads guilty in betting scheme that ensnared ex-NBA player Jontay Porter
View
Date:2025-04-24 17:26:37
NEW YORK (AP) — A gambler pleaded guilty Wednesday in a sports betting scandal that got NBA player Jontay Porter kicked out of the league earlier this year.
Long Phi Pham, also known as Bruce Pham, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud, admitting that he schemed to con sports betting companies, according to prosecutors and a court document. He could face anything from a no-jail punishment to 20 years in prison at his sentencing, set for April 25 in a Brooklyn, New York, federal court.
Messages seeking comment were sent to his attorneys.
Pham and three other men were charged in June with plotting to cash in on from a player’s secret plans to claim illness to pull out of two games early. The withdrawals ensured a payout for anyone who bet on him to underperform expectations.
The complaint didn’t name the player, but details made clear it was Porter, whom the NBA banned for life in April after conducting its own investigation.
One of Pham’s co-defendants induced the athlete to withdraw from games, according to a court complaint. The document said the conspirators were on track to collect over $1 million — and share some with the player — before a betting company smelled a rat and blocked collection of a lot of the money.
Pham, who is in his 30s, was arrested as he boarded a flight to Australia with roughly $12,000 in cash, days after learning about the investigation, prosecutors said at the time. They suggested the Brooklyn resident was trying to elude their reach, but his lawyer said Pham was a professional poker player and was traveling for a tournament.
Porter, who was last with the Toronto Raptors, pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud conspiracy. He told a court that his own gambling debts drove him to bench himself so conspirators could win bets.
Porter withdrew from two games last winter after playing only a few minutes and saying he was hurt or sick. On both occasions, his points, rebounds and assists fell below sportsbooks’ predictions.
He is now awaiting sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 18.
Pham’s three co-defendants have yet to enter pleas.
veryGood! (2377)
Related
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Calling all influencers! Get paid $100k to make content for pizza delivery app, Slice
- Does being in a good mood make you more generous? Researchers say yes and charities should take note
- Lourdes Leon rocks purse bikini for Australian fashion label Dion Lee: See the pics
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Trump is due to face a judge in DC over charges he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election
- Tire on Delta flight pops while landing in Atlanta, 1 person injured, airline says
- Mother of US soldier detained in North Korea says life transformed into 'nightmare'
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- 2 members of expelled ‘Tennessee Three’ vie to win back their legislative seats
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- 'A violation of our sovereignty': 2 bodies found in Rio Grande, one near a floating barrier
- YouTuber Jimmy MrBeast Donaldson sues company that developed his burgers
- Doritos recall: Frito-Lay recalls Nacho Cheese chips sold in Pennsylvania for allergy concerns
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Adidas is donating Yeezy sales to anti-hate groups. US Jews say it’s making best of bad situation
- NASA detects faint 'heartbeat' signal of Voyager 2 after losing contact with probe
- Mike Breen: ESPN laying off co-commentators Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson 'was a surprise'
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Vince McMahon subpoenaed by federal agents, on medical leave due to surgery
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to appear in Houston court hearing for his securities fraud trial
Trump's latest indictment splits his rivals for the 2024 GOP nomination
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
'We kept getting outbid': Californians moving to Texas explain why they're changing states
Family pleads for help in search for missing Georgia mother of 4
George Clooney, Meryl Streep among stars giving $1M to help struggling actors amid strike