Former NBA player Jontay Porter, who played for the Toronto Raptors, is set to plead guilty to federal charges in a sports betting gambling scandal, according to court filings obtained by ESPN.
Porter, who retired from professional basketball in 2020 due to injuries, was reportedly involved in a scheme to manipulate the outcomes of NBA games for gambling purposes. The scheme allegedly involved several other individuals, including current and former players, as well as coaches and referees.
According to the court filings, Porter and his co-conspirators used insider information to place bets on games they knew would be manipulated. They allegedly profited greatly from the scheme, which is said to have spanned several seasons.
The FBI began investigating the scandal after receiving a tip from a whistleblower within the NBA. The investigation reportedly uncovered a web of corruption that implicated multiple individuals across the league.
Porter, who was once a promising young talent in the NBA, is expected to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit sports bribery. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The news of Porter’s involvement in the scandal has shocked the basketball world, with many former teammates and colleagues expressing disbelief at the allegations. Porter’s lawyer has declined to comment on the case.
The NBA has released a statement condemning the actions of those involved in the scandal, promising to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The league has also announced plans to implement stricter regulations to prevent future instances of corruption.
The fallout from the sports betting gambling scandal is sure to have far-reaching consequences for the NBA and its players. As the investigation continues to unfold, more details are expected to emerge about the extent of the corruption within the league.
