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Gambling Ref: Don't Trust NBA Game Results

Disgraced ex-official warns of ties among players, coaches, refs

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 2:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy alleged yesterday that relationships among basketball officials, coaches, and players "affected the outcome of games." He may also have passed the league information about other referees with gambling problems, and about the flow of confidential information from an official to a coach, AP reports. Donaghy's allegations came via a statement filed by his lawyer.

John F. Lauro used the revelations to argue that his client deserves probation for his felony conviction rather than a prison sentence—he could face up to 25 years—and cited Donaghy's gambling addiction as a key factor in the case. The NBA brushed aside the information, calling it "an assortment of lies, unfounded allegations, and facts that have been previously acknowledged."

John Lauro, attorney for former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, speaks to the media outside Brooklyn federal court following Donaghy's arraignment. Lauro has attacked the NBA for their cone of silence.
John Lauro, attorney for former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, speaks to the media outside Brooklyn federal court following Donaghy's arraignment. Lauro has attacked the NBA for their "cone of silence."   (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Tim Donaghy, through his lawyer, claims that NBA coaches, referees, and officials have relationships that affect the outcomes of games.
Tim Donaghy, through his lawyer, claims that NBA coaches, referees, and officials have relationships that affect the outcomes of games.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
NBA commissioner David Stern is in a dispute with John Lauro, lawyer for disgraced former referee Tim Donaghy, over allegations Donaghy has made about the league.
NBA commissioner David Stern is in a dispute with John Lauro, lawyer for disgraced former referee Tim Donaghy, over allegations Donaghy has made about the league.   (AP Photo)
Lawyers for Tim Donaghy said in a Brooklyn federal court filing Monday, May 19, 2008 their client deserves to be sentenced to probation because he cooperated in the probe into NBA betting.
Lawyers for Tim Donaghy said in a Brooklyn federal court filing Monday, May 19, 2008 their client deserves to be sentenced to probation because he cooperated in the probe into NBA betting.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)
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