Feds have arrested the alleged mastermind behind a massive point-shaving scandal worth millions of dollars in illicit profits, federal court documents reveal.
In the midst of a massive ongoing investigation that began with exiled NBA journeyman Jontay Porter, federal agents have identified Shane Hennen as the alleged architect, Sports Illustrated first reported.
Authorities say Hennen orchestrated perhaps the largest point-shaving scandal in American history, which may have included Heat guard Terry Rozier, and at least nine college games spanning the past two years.
Hennen has not yet been charged as he negotiates a plea deal that could shed even more light on the bombshell betting scheme that compromises the integrity of both the college and professional game.
He will eventually be charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, the document states.
Hennen was arrested in January at the Las Vegas Airport, where he said he was preparing to fly from Vegas to Colombia for “dental work.”
The Justice Department further alleges that Hennen had five co-conspirators in the scheme involving Porter, who manipulated his own performance by pulling himself out of games so that Under bets on his player props would win while with the Raptors during the 2023-24 season.
Porter pled guilty in the game-rigging scandal and is out of the NBA.
“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.”
Rozier is also under investigation amid a look into unusual betting activity, and his case is tied to Porter’s.
The NBA, however, said it looked into the matter and did not find a violation.
Rozier has 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,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.
“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.”
Investigators also flagged unusual wagering on games involving at least five college teams last season.
Fresno State recently suspended two players amid an NCAA and school investigation into gambling, although it’s unclear if that is connected to this case.
Hennen’s Instagram shows massive betting slips, a luxurious life with massive stacks of cash and fancy cars.
Of note, Hennen showed off a $57,500 bet placed at BetMGM’s Mirage Las Vegas Casino for UConn to cover as a 14.5-point underdog (-110) in football against Boston College on Oct. 28.
The Huskies covered in a 21-14 loss.
“You either sit on the sideline and watch or ask how to get in the game!!’ he captioned his post.
The largest wagers posted on his Instagram include a $300,150 bet on the Duke-Virginia men’s basketball game from March 2023.