Categories: World News

Attorney claims Jontay Porter struggled with a gambling addiction

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Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter has been banned for life from the NBA due to his involvement in a sports betting scandal. His lawyer, Jeff Jensen, revealed that Porter was struggling with a gambling addiction and was “in over his head.” Jensen stated that Porter is currently undergoing treatment and is fully cooperating with investigators.

In a shocking turn of events, a fourth man, Ammar Awawdeh, was arrested in connection with the scandal. Awawdeh allegedly pressured an NBA athlete, referred to as “Player 1” in court documents, to leave games early in order to resolve gambling debts. This tactic, known as a “special,” ensured a payout for those who bet on the player to underperform in the games.

Awawdeh, who runs his family’s corner stores in New York City, was arraigned and released on $100,000 bond with ankle monitoring. His lawyer declined to comment on the allegations.

Although Porter is not charged in the case, details about Player 1 align with the NBA probe that led to his lifetime ban. The league discovered that Porter had bet on games in which he didn’t play and withdrew from a game to manipulate the outcome for a bettor who had inside information.

Awawdeh and his co-defendants allegedly used their knowledge of Player 1’s plans to place lucrative bets on his performance in specific games. Porter, who played briefly on the dates in question before leaving the court due to injury or illness, was unknowingly part of their scheme.

The defendants, including Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah, and Long Phi Pham, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. While their attorneys have refrained from commenting on the case, McCormack’s lawyer emphasized that the outcome is uncertain.

The scandal has rocked the NBA community and raised concerns about the integrity of the sport. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge regarding the extent of Porter’s involvement and the repercussions for those implicated in the scandal.

Team@GQN.