NBA Referee Accused Of Betting On Games

Law Enforcement Source Says FBI Also Probing Allegation Tim Donaghy May Have Influenced Point Spread

(CBS/AP)  The FBI is investigating allegations that veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including ones in which he officiated.

Defense attorney John Lauro confirmed Donaghy is under investigation but refused to comment on the allegations or the case.

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether the referee made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

The law enforcement official, who spoke to the AP on Friday on condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges. The official, who did not identify the referee, is familiar with the investigation but was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The law enforcement official said the bets involved thousands of dollars and were made on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

Over the years it has been a mortal fear of all leagues that the guardians of their game would be somehow touched by scandal, reports CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian.

"If these allegations are true, it just cuts to the heart of the integrity of the sport," says basketball analyst Len Elmore.

In all, Donaghy has officiated 704 regular season games and 15 playoff games, CBS News reports. He has seven years of CBA officiating experience including the 1993 CBA All-Star Game and five years of high school officiating experience in Pennsylvania. Before becoming a referee, Donaghy played varsity basketball at Villanova University.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Donaghy officiated 68 games in the 2005-06 season and 63 games in 2006-07. He also worked 20 playoff games, including five last season.

“As we previously stated, we have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated,” commissioner David Stern said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Although asked by the government not to comment, Stern said the naming of Donaghy prompted a fuller statement.

“We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again.”

The FBI probe, which began recently, also involves allegations that the referee had connections to organized crime associates. Other arrests are expected, the official said.

The referee had a gambling problem, according to the official, and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance.

The investigation first was reported Friday by the New York Post.

“I'm shocked, terribly shocked,” said Gary Benson, an NBA official for 17 years who retired two years ago because of knee problems. “Those are people that you work with and that you literally — you spend more time with those people than you do with your family.”

Benson said he didn't work with Donaghy much.

“You have a lot of acquaintances and very few friends. ... I probably worked a handful of games with him overall, just a handful.”

[itsnotaboutu]

A fu(king greedy basketball ref, Lindsy Lohans drunken driving, Trump and Rosie's fued. Yeah, and our soldiers are dying for a bunch of filthy animals in a psychotic land, our president offers them up like mice to a snake, and allows millions to invade our country with their dirty useless burden on our society. But hey, our souless media knows what gets the readers to read, don't they?

[slim1h2o]

HANG HIM AND VIC ON THE SAME TREE
Posted by chinesespy at 02:22 AM : Jul 21, 2007

Better yet, Put them in the ring for a death match, take bets on who wins, who ever wins, we degrade them, just like vick did with his dogs, or worse

[chinesespy]

HANG HIM AND VIC ON THE SAME TREE

[incog-nito]

Obviously this is a grave issue, serious enough to merit front-page treatment in all the news networks. One referee's alleged betting on NBA games apparently poses a significant danger to us all.

[SIDNEYWILLIAMSMD]

As a medical doctor dedicated to the preservation of life, and as a dog owner, I am offended by mistreating these dogs with such abuse and death. In my opinion a federal death sentence should be instituted to penalize such maniac who would torture such dogs and cause their deaths. Meanwhile the football league should suspend every SOB associated with this including the refs.

[fairandbal]

I can't say this is a surprise. Those of us who watch the NBA regularly have often felt that the NBA has favorites who they want to win and the Refs carry out that policy. Much like pro wrestling. This just proves we were correct and that was NOT a conspiracy theory.

[swwils]

Well they need to do a Pete Rose and fire his ***,and fine him and he should never be allowed in any stadium again

[menofoz]

The NBA will look to isolate the corruption and sweep the story under the rug. The NFL and MLB will pretend their sports are clean and will attempt to persuade the public that betting on their sports is safe from corruption. The public will move on and so will Vegas and all the sports parlors, bookies and sinister media can continue to reap the harvest.

[menofoz]

I've been of the belief for years that not only NBA but also NFL and MLB sports outcomes and scores have been influenced by gambling. One guy takes the fall this time it's this referee however have no illusions people corruption exists where ever money changes hands and almost no person is immune to thinking of their own self interest when it comes to the bottom line.

The disgusting part about sports gambling is that most folks watching at home or at the event have no clue that many games are fixed it's comparable to the WWE but at least most people know pro wrestling is fixed and no wagers are taken on sports entertainment.

The day that the Vegas opens up the books and the public is allowed to see how much is bet on each team and each game for a fair analysis of the outcome then people will know.

GOOD LUCK GETTING VEGAS TO DO THAT

Posted by red164 at 01:20 PM : Jul 20, 2007

That's sports betting is similar to politics, you need to know the fix or count the votes, or keep score or call fouls or throw a bad pass or miss a few shots or throw a penalty flag or have a player miss a game or get a phony injury or gosh something else.

[egmd]

Wow - I didn't know people even watch basketball in this country anymore, let alone bet on it.

[starleo146]

I believe he or his dad was a ACC referee. I knew Duke should of won that game against Carolina. I even said Carolina refs.

[starleo146]

Maybe John D. Bates will dismiss his case and Vicks Case and anyone who wants a case dismissed ask for this judge and say your a friend of cheney's. No Problem.

[gretagreen]

Why is this the big headline? Odd choice.

[smirk5]

It's not like he obstructed justice in an investigation as to whether someone in our White House knowingly outed a CIA agent or anything. If he is convicted of anything, he should at least have his sentence commuted.

[iceman_1960]

Didn't Pete Rose do time for this sort of thing ?

[beanerman4]

What is my bookie doing in that picture dressed like a ref?

[mountainzen]

Watch him say he was the victim...

[rfcnj68]

Okay mountainZen, but I'll bet that he makes a deal and roles on those that approached him meaning no jail or a minimum time and fine of course.

[thenamesdave]

This is why I watch hockey.

[stevex47]

red,

"many games are fixed it%u2019s comparable to the WWE"

The WWE is fixed? don't tell me, ha.