A federal investigation into point-shaving and game-fixing in college basketball is “heading towards the indictment phase,” according to a report.
Sports Illustrated reports that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s investigation into sports manipulation has advanced and charges are expected to be on the way.
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The investigation reportedly focuses on “southern schools” and is linked to the probe into former NBA player Jontay Porter. Porter was banned from the NBA for life last year after a league investigation found he “violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.”
Integrity monitoring services flagged unusual wagers on a number of college basketball games, Sports Illustrated reports, involving at least five teams.
The NCAA, the report said, is also conducting its own investigation, which involves players at New Orleans, Eastern Michigan, Mississippi Valley State, and Temple.
“It’s not clear whether the players from those institutions are under criminal investigation, or whether the NCAA will charge them or their schools with violations,” the report added.
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In January, the University of New Orleans suspended four players — James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter, and Jamond Vincent — for an unspecified violation of team rules. It was later reported that they were under investigation for possible NCAA violations related to sports gambling.
Sports Illustrated said that Eastern Michigan received a notice of inquiry from the NCAA in January and that its games against Wright State on Dec. 21 and Central Michigan on Jan. 14 were flagged by integrity monitoring services.
One of several scandals
The potential college indictments would be the latest federal law enforcement action involving gambling-related match-fixing in basketball. In June, ESPN reported that Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley was under investigation after “at least one prominent U.S. sportsbook” detected unusual betting activity on Beasley’s statistics.
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Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, noted that the guard has not been charged with any crime.
Gambling scandals have also rocked other major U.S. sports. Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis L. Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, were placed on administrative leave last month while the league continues to investigate a potential manipulation of prop bet markets. In the NFL, wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season for betting on games, including his own team, while he was on leave for mental health reasons. In the NHL, center Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games last year after NHL integrity monitors uncovered his involvement in activities related to sports betting.
