Former NBA Referee Pleads Guilty - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lex Luthor · 08-15-2007, 01:01 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

By William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 15, 2007; 11:54 AM

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty in New York today to two federal felony charges in connection with a betting scandal that has rocked professional basketball.

Donaghy, 40, who refereed NBA games for 13 years before resigning last month, faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine when he is sentenced on the conspiracy and fraud counts. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for the purpose of defrauding the National Basketball Association, and conspiracy to transmit wagers through interstate commerce. The first charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and the second could bring up to five years.

NBA official Tim Donaghy talks with another official during a timeout as the Washington Wizards face the New Jersey Nets in a basketball game in this April 10, 2007 file photo in Washington. The former referee plans to plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges alleging he bet on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe said.. In addition to the fine, Donaghy is liable for at least $30,000 in restitution.

"I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," Donaghy told U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon in federal court in Brooklyn, news services reported. "Some of my picks included games I had been assigned to referee." He said he had "received cash payments for successful bets," but he did not mention any specific amounts in court.

Although prosecutors had said that Donaghy admitted betting on games himself, the plea agreement did not include that particular charge.

Amon said in court that Donaghy gave co-conspirators recommendations about which teams to bet on and was paid if he was correct. She said Donaghy had "unique access" and possessed inside information that was not public, such as which crews would officiate games, the physical condition of certain players and how different officials and players interacted with each other. The judge said Donaghy concealed the scheme from the NBA and other referees.

Two alleged co-conspirators in the case were scheduled to be arraigned in federal court this afternoon.

After Donaghy resigned July 9 while under FBI investigation, NBA Commissioner David Stern called him a "rogue, isolated criminal" and said he believed no other players or officials were involved. Stern said he felt "betrayed" by Donaghy, adding, "This is the most serious situation and the worst situation that I have ever experienced, either as a fan of the NBA, a lawyer for the NBA or a commissioner of the NBA."

The FBI first contacted the NBA June 20 to discuss allegations that a referee was gambling on games -- charges that reportedly surfaced in a separate investigation of mob activities. Stern said he would have fired Donaghy before his July 9 resignation but that he was told not to because it might affect the investigation.

08-15-2007, 01:01 PM	#1
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	Former NBA Referee Pleads Guilty http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews By William Branigin Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, August 15, 2007; 11:54 AM Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty in New York today to two federal felony charges in connection with a betting scandal that has rocked professional basketball. Donaghy, 40, who refereed NBA games for 13 years before resigning last month, faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine when he is sentenced on the conspiracy and fraud counts. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for the purpose of defrauding the National Basketball Association, and conspiracy to transmit wagers through interstate commerce. The first charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and the second could bring up to five years. NBA official Tim Donaghy talks with another official during a timeout as the Washington Wizards face the New Jersey Nets in a basketball game in this April 10, 2007 file photo in Washington. The former referee plans to plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges alleging he bet on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe said.. In addition to the fine, Donaghy is liable for at least $30,000 in restitution. "I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," Donaghy told U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon in federal court in Brooklyn, news services reported. "Some of my picks included games I had been assigned to referee." He said he had "received cash payments for successful bets," but he did not mention any specific amounts in court. Although prosecutors had said that Donaghy admitted betting on games himself, the plea agreement did not include that particular charge. Amon said in court that Donaghy gave co-conspirators recommendations about which teams to bet on and was paid if he was correct. She said Donaghy had "unique access" and possessed inside information that was not public, such as which crews would officiate games, the physical condition of certain players and how different officials and players interacted with each other. The judge said Donaghy concealed the scheme from the NBA and other referees. Two alleged co-conspirators in the case were scheduled to be arraigned in federal court this afternoon. After Donaghy resigned July 9 while under FBI investigation, NBA Commissioner David Stern called him a "rogue, isolated criminal" and said he believed no other players or officials were involved. Stern said he felt "betrayed" by Donaghy, adding, "This is the most serious situation and the worst situation that I have ever experienced, either as a fan of the NBA, a lawyer for the NBA or a commissioner of the NBA." The FBI first contacted the NBA June 20 to discuss allegations that a referee was gambling on games -- charges that reportedly surfaced in a separate investigation of mob activities. Stern said he would have fired Donaghy before his July 9 resignation but that he was told not to because it might affect the investigation.
	__________________ I look forward to resuming our verbal judo - Lex Luthor It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white - Lex Luthor Genevieve: "I underestimated you, Lex." Lex: "Well, that’s a common mistake." Lionel Luthor: "We don't need to play games, son." Lex Luthor: "Dad, games are all we got."