Ammar Awawdeh, a key figure in a high-profile poker and NBA gambling scandal, has reached a plea deal in connection to his involvement in rigged games. His actions are linked to the arrests of noted individuals including Jontay Porter, Terry Rozier, Malik Beasley, Chauncey Billups, and Damon Jones, alongside various members from organized crime families.
Awawdeh, 34, is described by prosecutors as an associate of the Gambino crime family. Allegations against him include organizing and participating in fraudulent poker games, as well as an armed robbery involving the theft of a shuffling machine intended for those games. Further compounding his charges, he is accused of placing bets on Porter and Rozier’s performance prop markets after the players agreed to leave their games prematurely.
He faces severe charges including wire fraud, illegal gambling operation, money laundering, and robbery. Although ESPN journalist David Purdum confirmed the plea deal, details on its terms have not been disclosed.
In evidence presented by prosecutors, Awawdeh allegedly communicated with Porter, indicating he would be ‘forcing’ Porter to exit early from games with the Raptors. This information was then propagated to his accomplices, including Timothy McCormack, who was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. McCormack admitted to placing bets based on information supplied by Awawdeh.
Awawdeh is also implicated in the case against Beasley, with the U.S. Attorney's Office stating that his role may influence the sentencing in Beasley’s case.
Awawdeh’s connections to organized crime suggest he may face harsher penalties than McCormack. Allegations indicate that the Gambino and Bonanno crime families had formed an agreement to hold these rigged poker games. Conflict arose when Awawdeh initiated his own games concurrently with the Bonannos, leading to a violent confrontation where Bonanno associates attacked Awawdeh, resulting in a brawl that concluded with threats to sever ties with him.
Awawdeh hosted these games in a Greenwich Village townhouse, which was previously listed for sale for nearly $25 million.
Meanwhile, Terry Rozier, who alongside Porter is accused of leaving games early to inform bettors, is facing challenges in his return to the NBA after being released by the Miami Heat in April. Rozier proclaims his innocence and hopes to rejoin the league. Porter, on the other hand, awaits sentencing for his role in betting manipulations and received a lifetime NBA ban, although he has since signed with the Seattle SuperHawks and won an MVP award in the USBL.
Rozier's bail conditions restrict him from contacting certain players who are potential witnesses. Recently, a judge denied a request from his legal team to modify these conditions, citing the difficulty in monitoring Rozier's interactions during practices and games. This decision was influenced by Rozier having previously violated bail rules by texting someone he was prohibited from contacting. U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall, who previously sentenced McCormack, will determine Awawdeh’s punishment in light of these ongoing legal developments.
