Ref's lawyer: Scandal goes much deeper
NEW YORK: The attorney for disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy filed a letter in US District Court claiming the gambling scandal Donaghy aided went deeper among NBA employees.
John Lauro, Donaghy's lawyer, claimed the outcomes of games were influenced by relationships between referees and league players and coaches. Donaghy officiated in the NBA for 13 seasons before resigning last year.
"Tim described the gambling activities of NBA officials, which were contrary to league rules," Lauro's letter said. "He also furnished information concerning circumstances that favored certain players or teams over others."
The 36-page letter argues Donaghy should not serve time behind bars after a guilty plea on fraud and gambling charges. Donaghy, 41, faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine at a July 14 sentencing hearing.
The letter also claimed the NBA pressed prosecutors to shut down the case to keep the extent of the scandal secret and that another referee gave a coach confidential information, potentially affecting a game's outcome.
The NBA "allowed an environment to exist that made inside information, including knowledge of the particular officials who would work a game, valuable in connection with predicting the outcome of games," Lauro claimed. "Particular relationships between officials and coaches or players affected the outcome of games, and other practices prevented games from being played on a level playing field."
Agencies
(China Daily 05/22/2008 page24)
