Ex-NBA Referee Pleads Guilty

(CBS/AP)  Former referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to two felony charges Wednesday in an NBA betting scandal that has rocked the league and raised questions about the integrity of games.

Donaghy, who has strong ties to the Philadelphia suburbs, faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information through interstate commerce. He was released on a $250,000 bond.

In court, Donaghy blamed his troubles on a "gambling addiction," telling a federal judge he is now getting treatment, reports CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano.

Donaghy explained how the betting scheme worked. He used his privileged information — "player's physical conditions" and who "would be refereeing games" — and told his alleged co-conspirators, often in code, how they should place their bets, adds Solorzano.

Donaghy was paid as much as $5,000 for each correct pick that beat the point spread, CBS News producer Phil Hirschkorn reported.

The information was not public, said U.S. District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon.

Donaghy also must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution.

Standing ramrod-straight, hands clasped in front of him, Donaghy spoke in nearly inaudible tones as he told the judge that he is seeing a psychiatrist for his gambling addiction and is taking an antidepressant and anxiety medication.

"I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," a soft-Donaghy told the court.

Prosecutors said in open court that Donaghy bet on games himself; but that was not a specific part of the verbal admission he made before the judge.

"Tim is relieved this part of the proceeding is over and we look forward to completely resolving this matter in the coming months," defense attorney John Lauro told The Associated Press after the plea. "Tim deeply regrets his involvement in this matter and especially the pain it has caused his family, friends and co-workers."

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[Jack McCormack]

What the heck does color have to with it, we found a crooked ref. he could be yellow with purple polka dots, or purple with yellow polka dots, a crook is a crook. let sentence his to about 25 years, fine him 500,000 and make him pay 30,000 in restitution, and monitor all other refs so basketball can get on with life.

[battyellison]

Now where are all the posts making a big deal out of the fact that Tim Donaghy is WHITE ?
Posted by Iceman_1960 at 11:02 AM : Aug 15, 2007

There is no big deal you are only a big deal if you are African American and Stern has the nerve to say it's an isolated incident. It shows you that racism is alive and well in the US, but all you have to do to make the whte people agree is to say " O.J. Simpson" and every thing racial is justified even the book "If I Did It" was wrote by a ghost writer all he did was agree to use his name nothing else no input what so ever about the content of the book, but that's why Murdock set it up so corrupt white politicians can get away with "Murder" and no one will notice because it's all about OJ for the last 15yrs if you want to cause racial tension then use "OJ" and white & black people are taken back to the 60's where they hate each other. By the way African Americans were not OJ fans it was the white's that loved oj that's why it's so hard to get over it

[oscarez]

CBS why are you showing this as a headline. It should be at the bottom under Sports. Way at the bottom!!

[drputt45]

He// yes it's a money game. We are the ones being held up for ticket prices, clothing, shoes, so the dudes on the court can make the big bucks. They can use drugs, cuss and beat on the fans, and they are the heroes.

But as long as we allow it, it will continue.

[susieq_13]

I guess it's all just a money game.

[russ1985]

Refs who have frinds who are gamblers are bad news. Since he took a plea, he probably won't get much time in prison but can someone at least beat the snot out of him while he's in there? Then justice would be served.

And just for Iceman's sake: Leave it to the white guy to try to scam the system, to scam the system that pays him well. Can't take those white folks anywhere nowadays...

[iceman_1960]

Now where are all the posts making a big deal out of the fact that Tim Donaghy is WHITE ?

[bobnjersey]

[Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting waging information through interstate commerce ... Donaghy also must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution.]

absurd ... for betting on a 'game'?

murderers receive less than this.

[NBA Commissioner David Stern blamed a "rogue, isolated criminal" for the betting scandal that has devastated the league and threatened the credibility of every referee.]

of course ... beating up the fans in the seats hasn't affected the 'credibility' of the league, the players, or the specs in any way.

[jetlizhan]

oh my word - i see crazy @ss oakishpines is back in action - i think i saw him in the movie 'one flew over the cuckoo's nest' the other night; the only thing that has 'blown up' per his message is his brain.

[jetlizhan]

how and why would a faily intelligent guy do something as stupid as this when the odds of his getting caught are so great?? dumb, dumb, dumb