Ex-NBA ref pleads guilty to gambling charges
Associated Press August 15, 2007
An NBA referree has been accused of gambling in games he is officiating. Tim Donaghy referee, started making NBA bets four years ago, to include games he was officiating. He would tell high stakes betters, on what games to bet and if he was correct, he got large payoffs. He had information about who would win certain games.
Tim Donaghy emerged as a disgraced former NBA referee after pleading to two felony charges in a scandal that not only has rocked the league, but also tarnished the integrity of the sport. He is free on $250,000 bond pending sentencing on november 9. He potentially could get 25 years in prison. He was charged of wire fraud and sending gaming information through interstate commerce. He must pay a $500,000 fine and $30,000 to the government.
In one exchange he provided a tip about an NBA game on Dec. 13, 2006 the same day he was refereeing a 76’rs game in Philadelphia. The next day he met with gamblers in Pennsylvania, where he received a payment according to the authorities. The payment was for the tip on the 76’rs vs. Celtics games.