Meet Long Phi Pham: The Jontay Porter NBA Betting Co-Conspirator Facing Federal Charges

In Brooklyn federal court, a criminal complaint was filed against co-conspirators as part of the Jontay Porter NBA sports betting conspiracy. Long Phi Pham, also known as Bruce, was charged for his involvement in the scheme to defraud a sports wagering platform – a scheme that saw Porter earn an NBA lifetime ban. Pham was discovered to be betting Unders on Porter props in coordination with Porter tanking his performance in those games.

While Porter has not been charged yet and is referenced in the U.S. Attorney’s Office release as “Player 1”, federal prosecutors clearly allege “Player 1” participated in the plot to get out of a large gambling debt owed.

Three co-conspirators charged in the scheme remain at large.

Jontay Porter Charges Reveal NBA Betting Conspiracy

The circumstances surrounding the charges involve two NBA games on January 26, 2024, and March 20, 2024. Porter played just a few minutes in these games and then sat out due to injury or illness. Pham allegedly wagered thousands of dollars on Porter’s Unders in those matchups. Pham was arrested on Monday, June 3, and stood before United States Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollakon on Tuesday.

“Whether on the court or in the casino, every point matters. As alleged, the defendant and his co-conspirators, as well as an NBA player, participated in a brazen, illegal betting scheme that had a corrupting influence on two games and numerous bets,” stated Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “This prosecution serves as a warning that fraud and dishonesty in professional sports will not be tolerated, and those who engage in this flagrant flouting of the law will be prosecuted.”

The complaint alleges that Pham and co-conspirators placed these bets with the knowledge that Porter would leave the games early.

Pham attempted to flee the country by booking a flight to Australia. He was stopped at JFK with several betting slips, $12,000 cash, and two cashier’s checks worth $80,000. Pham is being charged with wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison.

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Porter Gambling Debts Revealed

The investigation revealed that Porter may have owed Pham and co-conspirators’ large gambling debts. The exact amount that Porter owed has not been released, but the investigation showed that Porter informed Pham and others that he planned to leave those games early. Pham and others are alleged to have agreeed to splitting the profits from the wagers with Porter.

Currently, there have not been charges filed against Porter in the Brooklyn federal court. Pham has been the focus of this investigation.

We’ll see if Jontay Porter will face charges of his own. It’s also possible he was offered some type of deal to testify against his co-conspirators.