Two additional men have been charged in connection with the sports betting scandal that led to the lifetime ban of former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter by the NBA. Timothy McCormack and Mahmud Mollah have been named as defendants in a federal wire fraud case related to wagers allegedly influenced by insider information from a player regarding his early exit from games.
While prosecutors have not officially identified Porter in connection with the case, details in court documents align with Porter's situation, including his banishment from the NBA in April. The court complaint refers to 'Player 1,' believed to be Porter, who allegedly provided tips to bettors about his health status to manipulate game outcomes.
The scheme involved McCormack, Mollah, Long Phi Pham, and an unnamed fourth defendant collaborating to profit from bets against 'Player 1's' performance. Mollah reportedly won over $1.3 million from bets on a game in March, with Pham, 'Player 1,' and the unnamed defendant each expecting a share of the winnings.
McCormack also profited from a bet on a game in January, according to the complaint. Attorneys for the defendants have either declined to comment on the allegations or emphasized the complexity of the case.
McCormack and Mollah were granted $50,000 bond each, while Pham was released to home detention on a $750,000 bond. The court documents reveal that 'Player 1' faced significant gambling debts and was pressured by the unnamed defendant to influence game outcomes to settle his financial obligations.
The NBA prohibits any involvement in betting on league games or related events for players, coaches, referees, and team personnel. Following an investigation, Porter was banned from the NBA for his role in manipulating game results for personal gain, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver condemning his actions as 'blatant.'
