Ex-Raptors Forward Jontay Porter Pleads Guilty in Sports Gambling Scandal

Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge related to a sports gambling scandal. Porter admitted to placing bets on NBA games and intentionally underperforming to help others profit. Facing significant gambling debts, he took measures to fix games, resulting in a lifetime ban from the NBA.

Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty to a criminal conspiracy charge linked to a sports gambling scandal that earned him a lifetime ban from the NBA. The 24-year-old entered his plea in a Brooklyn federal court, admitting to a wire fraud conspiracy before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Cho.

The NBA banned Porter in April for violating its gambling policies by placing 13 bets on league games, including one that predicted a Raptors loss. In court, Porter revealed that significant gambling debts had led him to inform others of his intentions to withdraw from games prematurely for betting advantages.

Porter expressed deep remorse and stated he has sought rehabilitation for his gambling addiction and is seeing a therapist. Released on $250,000 bond co-signed by his mother and wife, Porter is set to be sentenced on Dec. 18 and has agreed not to appeal any sentence of 4-3/4 years in prison or less.

(With inputs from agencies.)