The NBA's high-profile gambling case continues, as Shane Hennen, one of only three people charged in two major federal gambling cases — one concerning alleged fixed mob-run poker games and the other involving what prosecutors describe as a sports betting conspiracy — has been freed until trial.
Charged by complaint back in January with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering in connection with a fraudulent sports betting scheme relating to former NBA star Jontay Porter, Hennen is now a part of both recently-announced cases.
The government alleges that Porter told a co-conspirator that he would leave two games early due to purported injuries. They claim that Hennen received that information, and then bet on Porter underperforming. Hennen is also accused of being part of a similar scheme in a March, 2023 game involving Terry Rozier, with Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets, allegedly leaving the game early because of a purported injury.
In the mob gambling case known as Operation Royal Flush, where more than two dozen defendants are accused of arranging and participating in mob-ran fixed poker games, Hennen is accused of helping to supply the cheating technology.
On Thursday (October 30), Hennen was released on a $250,000 bond guaranteed by his mother and his brother. As with many of the other defendants in Operation Royal Flush, he will be barred from any form of gambling while the case plays out.
"I don't know half the guys on this case," Hennen told reporter after the hearing. "No basketball players, I have no affiliation to none of them."
Several other defendants in Operation Royal Flush appeared in court on Thursday. Most notable among them was Ammar Awawdeh, who is charged with helping organize the rigged games. In addition, he's accused of taking part in a dramatic gunpoint robbery of a rigged shuffler machine in the fall of 2023.
Awawdeh was released on a $2 million bond, guaranteed by five separate family members.
Damon Jones, the unofficial Lakers assistant coach who is, like Hennen, charged in both cases, is expected to be arraigned on November 6.