In a scandal that rocked professional basketball, Mahmud Mollah became the latest individual to plead guilty in connection with a sports betting conspiracy involving former NBA player Jontay Porter. Mollah’s admission adds him to a list of three participants, including Porter himself, who have now acknowledged their involvement in the scheme. The conspiracy operated by having Porter withdraw early from games, allowing those with insider information to benefit from wagers predicting his underperformance.
According to court documents, Mahmud Mollah’s knowledge of Porter’s plans for specific games, such as the March 20 matchup, allowed him to place lucrative bets. These bets, if fully successful, would have reportedly generated over $1 million, to be divided among the conspirators, with 24% allocated to Jontay Porter. However, the betting company involved flagged the activity, ultimately preventing Mollah from claiming the bulk of the anticipated payout.
Mollah, a resident of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, will face sentencing on May 2 in federal court in Brooklyn. His possible outcomes range from probation to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to Newsweek. His attorney, Andrew Levin, declined to provide any further comment on the case.
Porter’s Involvement and NBA’s Lifetime Ban
Jontay Porter, formerly of the Memphis Grizzlies and younger sibling to Michael Porter Jr., a Denver Nuggets player, was a central figure in the scheme. Porter reportedly agreed to exit games early, sometimes citing injury or illness, which aligned with bet conditions established by the conspirators. In one instance, Porter left the court during games on January 26 and March 20 after limited play, ensuring that his performance met the conditions of the inside bets. Ultimately, the NBA investigated the matter, imposing a lifetime ban on Porter.
Porter has acknowledged that his role in the conspiracy was driven by a desire to alleviate substantial gambling debts. He explained in court that his participation aimed to help him escape financial burdens accumulated through gambling. Porter’s involvement has drawn considerable attention, as he had been a promising prospect, standing at 6-foot-11 and known for his versatility as a power forward and center. After going undrafted out of Missouri in 2019, he initially joined the Grizzlies but played only 11 games before being waived in July 2021. His performance averaged 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in a brief 4.9 minutes per game. Porter’s sentencing is set for December 18, with a potential prison sentence looming over his future.
Additional Charges and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The conspiracy case has implicated five individuals in total, with Mollah, Porter, and Long Phi Pham all pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Two additional individuals face charges related to the scheme, although they have not yet entered formal pleas.
Prosecutors allege that the conspiracy was strategically structured to exploit Porter’s access and actions as a player, manipulating game outcomes to align with bets. As one of the conspirators, Mollah’s role involved using his advance knowledge of Porter’s exit strategies to place large bets on outcomes that appeared unfavorable to sportsbooks’ expectations. This plan would have ensured a high profit margin if left undetected. However, the unexpected halt by the betting platform disrupted Mollah’s potential for a major payout, leading to the investigation that eventually exposed the entire operation.
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