| Last Updated: Aug 17, 2007 - 1:07:35 PM |
Tim Donaghy, the ex-NBA referee caught in the middle of a legal hurricane and a league-shaking scandal, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two federal charges that could leave him with up to 25 years in prison. Donaghy has been accused by the FBI of betting on NBA games, including those which he officiated.
Donaghy, 40, has already admitted that he has been gambling for four years; a violation of NBA policy in itself.
His more recent plea also admitted that in 2006, he began supplying inside information on players, referees, coaches, and teams to professional gamblers, receiving payments of up to $5,000 when his tips turned out to be correct. As a referee, Donaghy would not only have been able to personally observe players on the court, but also would have had access to valuable information such as last-minute injury reports and future officiating schedules. Coupled with his 13 years of experience as an NBA official, Donaghy would have been able to provide worthwhile advice to other gamblers.
So far, Donaghy has not admitted to placing his own bets on NBA games, nor has he admitted to intentionally shifting the outcomes of game for his financial advantage. However, the prosecution’s court documents claim to have evidence proving he did both.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon. The full charges, involving wire fraud, the transmission of gambling information, and violation of the NBA’s right to honest services, could technically result in up to 25 years in prison.
However, the actual sentence is expected to be much lighter, especially if Donaghy cooperates with the government in prosecuting other targets. Donaghy, who earned $260,000 last year as a referee, will also be fined at least $500,000 as part of his sentence.s
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by San Francisco News
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