NBA Betting Scandal

Posted on August 15, 2007
Filed Under Sports |

So along with MLB, the NBA can now be included in a major betting scandal. Mr. Tim Donaghy, a former NBA referee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting of wagering information through interstate commerce, both are felony charges. At this time no other NBA players or NBA officials have been charged or are expected to be charged in what appears to be, as NBA commissioner David Stern put it ” a rogue, isolated criminal.” However, the ex-referee did have co-conspirators in a scheme where he (Tim Donaghy) would provide ‘recommendations’ to his co-conspirators now identified as James Battista and Thomas Martino as to what teams they should bet on. Mr. Donaghy was paid only if his recommendations were correct. Mr. Donaghy faces up to 25 years in prison and Mr. Battista and Mr. Martino face up to 20 years in prison. Mr. Donaghy must pay a $500,000 dollar fine and as yet, an undefined amount in restitution. Mr. Donaghy is currently out on $250,000 dollars bail. Of course, a question that may never be revealed to the general public is the effect of what games Mr. Donaghy influenced and when did this occur. Were these games at the start, mid-season or playoffs? More than likely teams in a race to make the playoffs and teams in the playoffs could potentially give the biggest win fall, however all of the above is certainly possible.

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