New York 'Poker Shark' Arrested in Jontay Porter Case Denies Attempt to Flee
One of the four New York men arrested in connection with the Jontay Porter betting scandal has denied attempting to flee the country when detained at JFK International last week.
Long Phi Pham, aged 38, was apprehended by the FBI on June 3 while attempting to board a one-way flight to Australia.
During his bail hearing at Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday, the self-described “poker shark” informed the judge through his lawyer that he was en route to a poker tournament at the Star Casino in Sydney when he was arrested. He was found in possession of $12,000 in cash, $80,000 in cashier’s checks, and three cell phones.
Pham’s lawyer, Michael Soschnik, told reporters after the hearing that his client ranks in the top one percent of poker players worldwide.
Manipulated NBA Games
Pham is accused of being part of a scheme that capitalized on NBA games involving Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors, betting on games where Porter would intentionally exit early, prosecutors allege.
The group reportedly made over $2 million by betting on the under with DraftKings and FanDuel in games where Porter’s performance was manipulated through fake injuries. However, most of these winnings were frozen when suspicious betting activities were detected by the operators.
Prosecutors claim Porter participated in the scheme due to significant debts owed to the group stemming from a gambling addiction. In April, the NBA imposed a lifetime ban on Porter for violating its betting rules.
Pham faces charges of wire fraud related to his alleged role in the conspiracy. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Pollak granted him bail on Wednesday at $750,000, though she expressed concerns.
“I believe he was attempting to flee the country to avoid prosecution. Today, I have serious doubts that I may be making a significant mistake,” she remarked.
What Poker Festival?
Pham’s claim of heading to a poker tournament at the Star Casino in Sydney appears inconsistent with the current poker event schedule, which lacks major festivals that would typically attract top-tier players during the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
The Star is currently hosting its regular lineup of lower to mid-range buy-in events, which may align with the reported playing preferences of a “Long Pham” listed on the Hendon Mob database. This player, potentially the defendant, ranks 288,478th globally with modest tournament earnings totaling $3,336, favoring buy-ins ranging from $230 to $500.
If convicted, Pham could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
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