Jim's Gym

condor · All-Star Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 163 Location: Michigan

FBI investigating NBA referee Donaghy in gambling probe

July 20, 2007
CBS SportsLine.com staff and wire reports

NEW YORK -- Commissioner David Stern led the NBA through drug problems and work stoppages. Now his league faces the stigma of a point-shaving scandal involving a referee.

The NBA acknowledged Friday that the FBI is investigating Tim Donaghy for betting on games, including ones in which he officiated.

CBS SportsLine's Tony Mejia first reported that Donaghy is the referee under scrutiny.

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 over the past two seasons.

The referee had a gambling problem and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance, said the official, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Donaghy is perhaps best-known previously as one of the referees in the 2004 game at Detroit that ended with Indiana Pacers players fighting with Pistons fans, among the worst situations in league history.

This could top it.

"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," Stern said in a statement.

Donaghy officiated 68 games in the 2005-06 season and 63 games in 2006-07, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He also worked 20 playoff games, including five last season: Pistons-Magic on April 23; Warriors-Mavericks on April 27; Suns-Lakers on April 29; Nets-Raptors on May 4; and Spurs-Suns on May 12.

The National Basketball Referees Association did not return calls for a statement, and Donaghy reportedly has resigned from the league.

A woman came to the door of the Bradenton, Fla., home where Donaghy lives and shouted through the door: "We have no comment."

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

Stern's statement said the FBI is investigating allegations a "single" referee bet on basketball.
But the law enforcement official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the ongoing case, said other arrests are expected.

Those studying Donaghy's games might have noticed some trends.

When the home team was favored by 0-4½ points, it went 5-12 against the spread in games officiated by Donaghy this season, according to Covers.com, a website that tracks referee trends. Home underdogs were 1-7 against the spread when it was 5-9.5 points.

Donaghy was part of a crew working the Heat-Knicks game in New York in February when the Knicks shot 39 free throws to the Heat's eight, technical fouls were called on Heat coach Pat Riley and assistant Ron Rothstein, and the Knicks won by six. New York was favored by 4½.

more ...

http://cbs.sportsline.com/print/nba/story/10263114

Jim · Gym Leader Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 471 Location: PA

is Lauro (the defense attorney) an Italian name? i love it when the Mafia gets involved in something. this week i watched The Godfather Parts I and II... and parts of III (just can't sit through that whole thing), St. Valentine's Day Massacre, The Untouchables, and Goodfellas... all on AMC.

i don't have HBO, so the only time i saw The Sopranos was when i was holed up in a hotel somewhere for days at some seminar and had HBO in the room. Smile

now... i catch every "freakin'" repeat episode on A&E, Wednesdays, at its new time... 10 p.m. (EST). Smile