A man accused of collaborating with Jontay Porter to place prop bets on NBA games has been taken into custody. Porter, who had racked up significant gambling debts earlier in the year, was reportedly urged to settle those debts by influencing game outcomes.
Long Phi Pham, 38, also known as “Bruce,” was apprehended on Monday at John F. Kennedy International Airport while attempting to board a one-way flight to Australia, as per a complaint filed in Brooklyn federal court.
According to authorities, Porter informed Pham that he planned to remove himself from the Jan. 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, citing an injury.
Porter allegedly coordinated with his co-conspirators through the Telegram group chat app, notifying them before a game on March 20 against the Sacramento Kings that he intended to feign illness in order to exit the game early.
On April 4th, the NBA issued a lifetime ban on Porter.
The authorities are currently seeking three additional individuals who are still at large.
