Mauer was convicted of felony tax evasion in 2000. He served 5 months in federal prison and another 5 months of home arrest. Somehow, he didn't lose his job. I'd like to know why. For a league with integrity problems in terms of officiating, I think pointing out Mauer's felonious past after last night's debacle is worthy of being a topic of discussion. I don't care that he served his time; I do care that the NBA employs tax cheats as officials, who then proceed to kick people out of front row seats that cost a lot of money.
So felons shouldn't be allowed to work? Granted if he ever applies for a job as an accountant or a tax preparer I hope they don't license him, but what does cheating on his taxes have to do with calling a basketball game?
Well, you could argue that bears on his integrity? I think that's pretty important for a referee in a professional sport that is bet upon a great deal. Felons shouldn't be barred by law from work, but I think it would be reasonable for the NBA to be reluctant to hire convicted cheats to ref games.
There are felonies and there are FELONIES. Maurer's felony doesn't really seem to be much of a much. Why wasn't this thread started last week, though? It seems like sour grapes at this point. Ed O.
I suppose it is sour grapes in some manner. However, I didn't have real reason to question Ken Mauer's integrity until witnessing him first-hand last night. So, I decided to do some research on him. I can tell you this ... I sure didn't expect to find out the guy was a convicted felon for crimes he committed while working for the NBA.
Also note that Mauer was the official in the first Utah game here. He was booed thru an entire timeout in the first half. Kenny had an ax to grind last night and will probably do it again the next time in the Garden.
If I am at the next Mauer game, I'm holding up a sign that says "Ken Mauer is a convicted felon". I wonder how that will go over with the RG crowd?
I have a problem with a person who has been convicted of a felony having to do with money being an NBA official where it is easy to decide either the outcome of a game or control the point spread for............... money. If he was a convicted felon regarding druken driving or hit & run... I'd have a somewhat better feeling about him being a referee. At least I'd know his criminal past could have no possible association with being a ref.
It would be even better if Stern was at the game. Or course, last night the deputy commissioner was there, and it didn't matter in terms of objectivity.
Yeah, that Adam Silver guy just made my "list of people who can get fucked"... I liked him better when he was on "Arrested Development" a few years back, anyways. [video=youtube;vvD1EZRYsGM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvD1EZRYsGM[/video]
Moderately so ... look I get it that cheating on your taxes raises an issue of credibility and integrity, but I don't recall Mauer ever being listed amongst the usual suspects of 'bad officials'. He called an atrocious game last night for sure, but was it really related to a 10 year old tax related felony?
Who is this guy Chopper? And what's the difference between a convicted felon and a felon? And why is it a felony that if you trade in plane tickets, you have to put it on your tax return? Why is every crime a felony nowadays? What happened to misdemeanors? That's why nowadays we have to differentiate between minor felonies and major ones, because the crappy legal system no longer has categories. Why am I asking questions like Chopper right after watching him?
