FBI targets NBA ref in betting scandal
July 21, 2007 — Tim Donaghy has been identified as the NBA referee at the center of an FBI probe into illegal betting on games, some of which Donaghy had officiated.
Donaghy is at the center of an investigation into an illegal bookmaking operation with ties to organized crime in New York City.
In a story first reported by The New York Post on Friday, the investigation has been ongoing for the past year, and the suspected ref may have been involved in making calls that would have affected the point spread in games during the past two seasons.
Sources indicate that Donaghy, a 13-year NBA veteran, is expected to turn himself into authorities next week. He resigned two weeks ago.
The investigation will determine if Donaghy was wagering with bookies who may have used him to call games for fixed payoffs. Reports indicate that Donaghy may have been struggling with a gambling problem of his own, had fallen into debt, and thus had become involved with the illegal bookies.
NBA Commissioner David Stern issued a statement acknowledging the investigation:
“We have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated,” Stern said.
“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.”
It is not yet known if the NBA will initiate an internal investigation of its own. Meanwhile, if federal indictments result from the investigation, Stern will have a worst-cast-scenario to contend with in the NBA, which has struggled with image problems, player scandals and highly-publicized brawls, though no incidents of this magnitude have taken place previously.
Sports betting is legal only in Nevada.
