October 22, 2007

NBA disciplines 6 referees for gambling offences

The National Basketball Association has punished six referees for minor gambling offences, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

Citing sources, the newspaper reported Sunday that the six unnamed officials were punished for infractions such as visiting casinos, and that their cases are not related to the Tim Donaghy betting scandal.

"Nobody's getting suspended. They were reprimanded and punished, but nobody lost their job," a source was quoted as saying.

In September, Donaghy forfeited $30,000 US in restitution to the government under his plea deal, according to court records.

The veteran referee pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn, N.Y., court to felony charges for taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games he officiated. He was released on $250,000 bond and is set to be sentenced Nov. 9.

Court papers say Donaghy, 40, started placing bets on NBA games in 2003. He then gave gamblers inside information, including tips on which crews would officiate games and how the various officials and players interacted.

He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce. He also must pay a $500,000 fine in addition to the restitution already paid.