<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ESPN.com)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class="story-header"> <h1 class="storyTitle">Donaghy to share info about other refs with feds</h1> <div class="byLine"> <p class="author"> ESPN.com news services</p> </div> <div class="promoPlug"> </div> </div> <div class="page-tools"> <p style="float: left" class="lastUpdate">Updated: August 17, 2007, 7:14 PM ET</p> <ul><li class="pt-comment">Comment<li class="pt-email">Email<li class="pt-print">Print[/list] </div> Former NBA official Tim Donaghy will reportedly give federal prosecutors information that will implicate other referees in some forms of gambling activity as part of his cooperation with government officials.</p> The offenses might not include any criminal activity, but could draw the ire of NBA commissioner David Stern, who has insisted the Donaghy situation was that of a "rogue, isolated criminal." </p> A report on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York said Donaghy will give prosecutors as many as 20 names of other NBA officials and will detail their involvement in some form of gambling activity. The specifics of the gambling allegations are reportedly believed to include betting in casinos.</p> "As far as we know, the misconduct was isolated to one individual, and we'll stand by that until proven otherwise," National Basketball Referees Association director Lamell McMorris told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. "We'll review whatever information Tim Donaghy alleges, but as far as we're concerned, the only person whose conduct has been proven wrong is Tim Donaghy. We're dealing with truth, not hearsay, and the truth is that the only person who has pleaded guilty to any kind of wrongdoing is Tim Donaghy."</p> NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said the league had received no information regarding the possibility of other officials being investigated. </p> The NBA's collective bargaining agreement with the officials bans gambling by referees, although there is one exception -- officials are allowed to go to the racetrack and bet on horses during the offseason.</p> Donaghy, who pleaded guilty on Thursday and was released on $250,000 bond, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 9 for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce. He also must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution to the government.</p> Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.</div></p> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2979605</p> </p>
Just saw this on sportscenter not too long ago. The refs in question didn't bet on games they reffed like Donaghy did, rather just participated in "some form" of gambling.
Todays a good day for aspiring referees. A ban of a large number referees seems to be on its way. </p> I'm sure at least a few others will be involved in betting. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate)</div><div class='quotemain'>They were probably playing hide the salami in the locker room for money during halftime.</div></p> </p> I hear RJ lost that game</p>
Well, this could be earth shattering or next to nothing. If they end up firing a bunch of guys for buying lottery tickets or something... well... maybe something good will come out of all this sillyness. </p> For a while it looked like the NBA was going to avoid shaking up the mess that is officiating in the league, but maybe, even if it's for something obscurantist like this, it'll be forced to take a big picture look. </p>
This could be earth shattering, or it could be nothing too. I mean, from the sounds of it, it could be guys playing a hand of blackjack. Now, I understand that those things appear to be against the league rules for refs, and I'll shed no tears if it's used as an excuse to throw their asses out and reform the system. In fact, I'll be rather disapointed if the NBA, which has made such a big deal out of calling things to the "letter of the law" lets them slide. That'd be some big time hypocrisy. That's what I expect to happen. Beyond that, however, let me ask a question to the fine legal minds in the audience. I, having fled law school at the first opportunity, must have missed the part of where it was explained how federal prosecutors might have some manner of <u>legal</u> interest in the private, lawful activities of the individuals they are apparently seeking information on from Donaghy. To clarify. There had better be some additional criminal activity uncovered here. Because otherwise, the prosecutors are abusing their power by granting leniency toward Donaghy for producing what information exactly? That other refs engaged went to casinos? That's a professionally damaging revelation, but it's obviously no crime and I don't see how it's the Fed's business to be airing it.
This is 36.8% of the referees in the league that could possibly be involved in this, correct? (21/57).</p> As a Bulls fan, I am kind of excited for this. Seeing Gordon and Hinrich drive and just get hammered time and time again with no calls, hopefully that is a thing of the past with the refereeing reform. </p> The best way for the league to recover from this, would be for Stern to step down, and have a new commisioner come in with a "rah rah" clean up the league attitude. While I think Stern can do just of an effective job cleaning up the refs, and untainting the league, he won't be able to get fans to buy into the change like a new comissioner would.</p>
Refs don't have to bet on the games they officiate (or any others). The Gambinos have the bucks (and they've taken the wagerers' money, too) to outright bribe the refs.</p> If that fails, a couple of guys named Guido and Nick show up at the Ref's house. If that doesn't work, the Ref's family is threatened. Playing ball (taking the money) is the safest bet. So to speak.</p> For MikeDC - I imagine a dozen or more federal laws have been broken. From wire fraud to gambling to racketeering to whatever statutes the feds came up with after the black sox scandal. For certain, the NBA is subject to interstate commerce jurisdiction.</p> </p> </p>
I said in some other thread that I'm pretty sure that lot more people are involved into this mess, referees, even some players, why not. And ultimately could be even Mr. Stern himself. I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's good that Donaghy is cooperating.
Yeah naming names isnt anything unless these refs were all in on fixing certain spreads. If it is just about breaking the no gambling rule by playing poker or lottery tickets, then this is a waste of time.
