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In this case, he was acting as a peacemaker in a Suns-Lakers altercation, but Tim Donaghy is considered combative. (FILE/JEFF LEWIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS) |
FBI investigating NBA ref
Donaghy allegedly bet games he worked
The FBI is investigating allegations veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy influenced the outcome of games he and associates bet on, multiple league sources and law enforcement officials said yesterday.
The investigation concerns whether Donaghy made calls affecting the point spread in contests he officiated and on which he wagered thousands of dollars the past two seasons. A federal grand jury in Brooklyn has been reviewing the case, and it could be concluded within the next few weeks.
Although attempts to reach Donaghy by phone yesterday were unsuccessful, a law enforcement official said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender next week to face charges. The case, which has been ongoing for several months, also involves investigators exploring connections between Donaghy and organized crime.
The New York Post reported the investigation yesterday morning but did not name the referee. The Globe reported Donaghy was the referee under investigation early yesterday afternoon.
In response to reports about the investigation, NBA commissioner David Stern issued the following statement: "We have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated. As part of that cooperation, we were asked by the government not to comment about the investigation, but in light of the widespread press coverage and the naming of the referee, Tim Donaghy, we consider it appropriate to make a fuller statement.
"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."
The league is planning a press conference next week to discuss the Donaghy situation. Members of the referee executive committee al so expect to hold a meeting next week, either in person or by teleconference, according to a league source.
The 40-year-old Donaghy just completed his 13th season in the NBA. During the seasons under investigation, Donaghy officiated 131 regular-season games, three involving the Celtics last season (Dec. 13 vs. the Sixers at the
On the court, Donaghy is known for his argumentative approach. He was on the floor when the brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons occurred at The Palace of Auburn Hills in November 2004. Almost two years earlier, Donaghy was involved in a postgame confrontation with Rasheed Wallace. The incident stemmed from a technical foul Donaghy assessed Wallace, and resulted in Wallace receiving a seven-game suspension.
A product of Cardinal O'Hara High School (Springfield, Pa.), Donaghy was one of four school graduates to become NBA referees, joining Joey Crawford, Mike Callahan, and Ed Malloy. Donaghy played varsity basketball and baseball at Cardinal O'Hara, and graduated from Villanova in 1989.
Donaghy lived in the Philadelphia area until neighbors in West Chester accused him of harassment and invasion of privacy. In a lawsuit, neighbors accused Donaghy of stalking and vandalizing their property. Donaghy sold his home in 2005 and moved to Florida.
According to the New York Post, Donaghy has a gambling problem and fell into debt while living on the East Coast.
LeBron James, who is attending the Team USA training camp in Las Vegas, reacted to the situation.
"I think the NBA is going to take care of that," said James. "We'll see what happens. It's out of my hands. The NBA is taking full advantage of it. They're taking this precaution. The NBA is going over everything that might be going on with the allegations. As a player, we'll see what happens. We don't want to get involved in it. I think the NBA is doing a great job and the commissioner is doing everything he can to try and make it right."
Added senior director of USA basketball Jerry Colangelo, "We all were taken aback like everyone else in the game. But it's up to the league and the FBI to do their thing. Everything goes without saying. If you're in basketball, something like that happens, there's nothing good to say."
With many of the NBA's top players in Vegas, the investigation raises questions about moving a franchise to Sin City. After hosting the All-Star Game in February and a summer league extravaganza earlier this month, Vegas appeared poised to become an NBA outpost.
Stern has been concerned about gambling on NBA games, but shortly before the All-Star Game, he acknowledged temptations exist in many US cities.
According to Jerry Markling, enforcement chief for the Nevada State Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board, Nevada gambling regulators were not part of the investigation.
"At this point, it's too early to know if any games were affected," said John Avello, an oddsmaker at the Wynn Las Vegas resort.
Jay Kornegay, executive director of the sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton, was surprised he had not heard about the investigation until yesterday.
"Whispers would have happened on the street, and we would have heard something," he said. "Any suspicious or unusual movements, you usually hear in the industry. We're so regulated and policed, any kind of suspicion would be discussed. We haven't seen anything like that in the NBA that I can remember and we haven't been contacted by anybody."
Jackie MacMullan of the Globe staff contributed to this story, Peter May of the Globe staff contributed from Las Vegas, and material from the Associated Press and other news sources was also used. Shira Springer can be reached at springer@globe.com. 
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
