Federal agents have arrested a man they believe is the source behind a massive point-shaving scandal in the NBA which led to millions of dollars in profits.
According to federal documents, a man named Shane Hennen has been arrested as the architect of a scandal that led to a league-wide investigation beginning with the betting activity of former Toronto Raptors star Jontay Porter.
The arrest, first reported by Sports Illustrated, comes as the investigation is now also reviewing the involvement of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Authorities believe this may be the largest point-shaving scandal in the history of American sports – which involved professional and college games over the course of two years.
Hennen is yet to be charged as he is still in the process of negotiating a plea deal – which could lead to further light being shed on the scheme.
He is expected to eventually be charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, per documents.
The alleged ringleader behind a massive NBA and college point shaving scandal has been revealed as a Pennsylvania native and professional gambler named Shane Hennen
The scandal in question has ties to Jontay Porter, who was banned from the NBA for life for allegedly rigging his performance in order to hit player prop ‘under’ bets with the Raptors
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is also being investigated, but has not been charged
The Justice Department claims that Hennen had five co-conspirators involved in the operation which included Porter, who purposely rigged his own performances in games in order for player prop ‘under’ bets to hit during the Raptors’ 2023-24 season.
As a result, some bookmakers, leagues, and states are considering banning player prop ‘under’ bets to protect the integrity of the game.
Porter, for his role, has been banned for life from the NBA for his misdeeds.
‘The proof of his guilt is overwhelming,’ the U.S. Attorney’s office letter says, adding that the evidence includes ‘witnesses, phone records, financial records, and betting records.’
While Rozier is still being investigated, the NBA says it looked into his behavior and did not find any violations. Rozier has also not been charged with a crime.
‘In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans,’ said NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
‘The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation.’
In addition to the NBA, federal authorities are investigating unusual betting patterns on college basketball games last season.
Hennen’s Instagram page shows pictures of a lavish lifestyle and, of course, betting slips
Recently, the basketball team at Fresno State University in California suspended two players as the NCAA and school investigates alleged gambling activity. It’s not clear if that is tied to this case.
His Instagram account – @sugarshanewins – features images showing off an extravagant lifestyle and, of course, bet slips.
Sports Illustrated is reporting that Hennen has a criminal record and has had multiple run-ins with the law in his native Pennsylvania. In 2007, he pled guilty to disorderly conduct, two misdemeanors related to gambling devices, and a felony facsimile-bombs charge.
SI is also reporting that in November of 2009, he was charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment in connection with a stabbing in Pittsburgh. Hennen pled guilty to aggravated assault.
Twelve days later, according to Sports Illustrated, he was again arrested in Pittsburgh in the parking lot of the Meadows Casino after police believed he had recently sold cocaine in a nearby Wendy’s parking lot. He pled guilty to DUI, possession with intent to distribute under 500 grams of cocaine, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. He served 30 months in prison and had four years of supervised release.
In 2016, he requested an early termination of his supervised release by citing ‘renal failure (kidney cancer)’ among other reasons while arguing he followed the terms of his release, per SI.
According to SI, a probation officer challenged those claims by saying that while under order not to leave Pennsylvania, Hennen traveled to San Diego in 2014. In 2017, Hennen left Pennsylvania again and was arrested for DUI in Missouri. In both these instances, Hennen was carrying more than $10,000 in cash.
In both these instances, Hennen was carrying more than $10,000 in cash.
