Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter is facing a felony charge in the United States related to the sports betting scandal that led to his lifetime ban from the NBA, as reported by The Associated Press.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn named Porter in a criminal information sheet on Tuesday, indicating that at least one federal charge is imminent. Additionally, Canadian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into Porter.
According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York confirmed that Porter is expected to plead guilty to the charge on July 10.
While the specific charge against Porter has not been disclosed, the document reveals that his case is connected to an existing investigation in which four men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to Porter’s scandal. These four men have yet to enter pleas in their case.
The NBA determined that Porter deliberately limited his participation in two games earlier this season to influence the outcome of bets placed on his performance. The league stated that before one game, Porter disclosed confidential information about his health to someone he knew to be an NBA bettor.
Furthermore, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using someone else’s betting account, with wagers ranging from $15 to $22,000, while traveling with the Raptors and their G League affiliate. Although none of the bets involved games in which he played, Porter did bet on the Raptors, according to the league.
As a result of these actions, the NBA banned Porter for life.
Porter’s attorney stated last month that Porter had been “in over his head due to a gambling addiction” and that he is currently cooperating with the investigation and seeking treatment.
Jontay Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., was in his first season with the Raptors on a two-way contract. He appeared in 26 games with the team before his suspension.
The scandal has not only ended Porter’s NBA career but also brought significant legal troubles. The developments in the case underscore the severity of the consequences for athletes involved in gambling-related activities, particularly those that compromise the integrity of the sport. As Porter prepares to plead guilty, the focus will likely shift to the details of his cooperation and the potential repercussions for the broader investigation.
