Corrupt Ex-Ref Drops Dime On NBA

Lawyer: Letter To Court Details Relationships Among Officials, Coaches And Players

(AP)  Disgraced basketball referee Tim Donaghy told investigators in the NBA betting probe that relationships among officials, coaches and players "affected the outcome of games," his attorney said. The league said the charges were unfounded.

Donaghy's attorney made the assertions in a letter filed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn on Monday, in which he argued that his client should be sentenced to probation because he fully cooperated with prosecutors and has been undergoing treatment for his gambling addiction.

The attorney also suggested that Donaghy told investigators about the gambling activities of other NBA officials and about a referee that passed "confidential" information to an unidentified coach.

The attorney, John F. Lauro, wrote that the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District agreed to plea agreements with other defendants in the case, even though his client told investigators about NBA matters outside of the government's initial investigation. Lauro said the disparity in treatment could not be fully explained because prosecutors have "surrounded this case with a cone of silence."

The U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday it has no comment.

In a footnote, the attorney suggested that the NBA might have "pressured" the attorney's office "into shutting down this prosecution to avoid the disclosure of information unrelated to Tim's conduct."

"The letter filed today on Mr. Donaghy's behalf contains an assortment of lies, unfounded allegations, and facts that have been previously acknowledged, such as the fact that certain NBA referees engaged in casino gambling in violation of NBA rules," said Joel Litvin, the NBA president for league and basketball operations, in a statement. "The letter is the desperate act of a convicted felon who is hoping to avoid prison time."

The veteran referee pleaded guilty last year to felony charges for taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games he officiated.

While citing Donaghy's commitment to his family, charitable activities and positive feedback for his career as a referee prior to his "tragic fall from grace," his attorney said that his client's "aberrant conduct" can only be understood in the context of his gambling addiction, a "crippling disease, which prevented him from exercising complete rational self control."

Lauro wrote that Donaghy is taking steps to get treatment for his condition, including therapy with a gambling counselor and attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

"Without a doubt, Tim made significant errors in judgment, but he also tried to right the wrongs of his conduct by assisting the government and seeking treatment for his disorder," Lauro wrote.

Donaghy is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14. By law, he faces up to 25 years in prison, though the term could be much lower under sentencing guidelines.

[ms38654ob]

The NBA: the "new" wrestling arena

[tomhawk69]

Anyone who watches NBA games knows that what Donaghy is saying about officiating "affecting the outcome of games" is absolutely true. It''s sickening!

David Stern - clean up your act or get the h*** out!

[guysdigdirt]

If there is money involved, there will often be corruption.

[guysdigdirt]

If there is money involved, there will often be corruption.

[tomhawk69]

Bottom Line:

It''s ALLWAYS about the money!!!!

[fiteit1]

"The letter is the desperate act of a convicted felon who is hoping to avoid prison time."

OR

its the act of someone that got cought and is exposing what has been going on for a long time

AND

the NBA might have "pressured" the attorney''s office "into shutting down this prosecution to avoid the disclosure of information unrelated to Tim''s conduct."

[docpeter-2009]

Thats it folks. All we need to do now is to ban ALL professional sports in America. Just think of the cost savings to the average person from all the millions saved, by not paying overpriced salaries to the athletes and on not naming stadiums and conventoion centers throughout this country. No more Ameriquest Field, no more American Airlines Center, no more Qualcom Field, and on and on. Get back to simple names like Three Rivers Stadium, Candlestick Park, etc.

Think about it, some students would actually have to go to college for a real education and not just as a stepping stone to professional sports.

No more sunday afternoon beerfests...uh football games, Heck may even lessen the incidence of spousal abuse in America.

[robjk1-2009]

"grippling disease" "his disorder"

He''s a gambler not a cancer patient.

[robjk1-2009]

"grippling disease" "his disorder"

He''s a gambler not a cancer patient.

[aldon61]

Professional sports is all about money. The love of money is the root of all evil. Sports officials are paper, sport, in general is the flame. What does anyone think is likely to happen when the two are mixed? No surprises here!

[mecury69]

"No more sunday afternoon beerfests...uh football games, Heck may even lessen the incidence of spousal abuse in America.


Posted by docpeter at 02:50 PM : May 20, 2008"


Hmmm, I''m not so sure. If you take away Sunday football, spousal abuse might actually increase. LOL

[beehive21-2009]

One fine day,I asked Guido,which team too bet on? He replied, Son, never bet on a team unless you know who fixed it.Simply,everyone knows in there heart ,the eyes didn''t lie too you, when a ? call is made.

[sistatee-2009]

Like the NFL, the NBA is fast becoming nothing but gangsta''s and thugs. How cares what the refs do?

[renegade1952]

I have not watched the NBA in years, its been little more than a show for a long time.