The Jontay Porter betting scheme continues to have repercussions after the NBA handed the former Toronto Raptors forward a lifetime ban in April and he was found guilty in federal court in July of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
On Sunday, 39-year-old Shane Hennen was arrested at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas as he attempted to take a one-way flight to Columbia, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Authorities allege he was part of the Porter betting scheme and passed on information to other gamblers as well using intermediaries to place bets on games in which Porter intentionally tanked his own statistics to benefit bettors.
Checkered Past, Attorney Denies Charges
Hennen is known as a high-stakes cash game player in the L.A. area and was alleged to have been part of a cheating group in 2023. Investigators say Hennen was also previously involved with illegal activity involving gambling devices, aggravated assault in a 2009 stabbing in Pittsburgh, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
The U.S Attorney’s Office says that those involved in the betting scheme made millions of dollars. Hennen now faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, which could bring up to 20 years in prison. He was released on his own recognizance but is expected to later appear in a New York courtroom.
Defense attorney Todd Leventhal denied that his client was involved in the betting scheme. He disputed claims that Hennen bought a one-way ticket and was attempting to flee the country. Leventhal said his client had a round-trip ticket and was only leaving the states for a dental procedure.
The controversy surrounding Porter came to light in March 2024 regarding two games in which he reduced his playing time. In both games, Porter exited the games after just a few minutes after apparently aggravating an injury and also self-reporting an illness. He admitted to giving information to those involved in the scheme and reducing his play time so that their sports bets would be winners.
“I know what I did was wrong, unlawful, and I am deeply sorry,” Porter said in court.