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Ousted Ref: NBA Fixed 2002 Series

Donaghy charges officials manipulated results to stretch playoff series

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2008 2:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – A disgraced former NBA referee claims that league officials conspired with referees to stretch the 2002 Lakers-Kings playoff series to a money-making seventh game, the Los Angeles Times reports. The allegation from Tim Donaghy came in a letter to the FBI that made broad claims of misconduct and match-fixing among NBA referees and executives.

The NBA slammed the allegations as a "desperate attempt" by Donaghy to win a light sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring with gamblers. Lakers coach Phil Jackson declined to comment on the accusations until after the league has concluded its own investigation. He added, however, that it would be a good idea to establish a referee system outside of NBA control.

SACRAMENTO, CA-- Laker Robert Brain Shaw battles for a rebound with Bobby Jackson and Vlade Divac of the Kings in game seven of the 2002 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at ARCO Arena in Sacrame
SACRAMENTO, CA-- Laker Robert Brain Shaw battles for a rebound with Bobby Jackson and Vlade Divac of the Kings in game seven of the 2002 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at ARCO Arena in Sacrame   (KRT Photos)
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Laker Derek Fisher fouls the Kings' Mike Bibby with help from teammate Robert Horry in game five of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals at ARCOI Arena on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Laker Derek Fisher fouls the Kings' Mike Bibby with help from teammate Robert Horry in game five of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals at ARCOI Arena on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.   (KRT Photos)
NBA official Tim Donaghy talks with another official during a timeout during a Washington Wizards New Jersey Nets basketball game in this 2007 file photo.
NBA official Tim Donaghy talks with another official during a timeout during a Washington Wizards New Jersey Nets basketball game in this 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, file)
In this April 10, 2007 file photo, NBA official Tim Donaghy talks with another official during a basketball game between the Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets in Washington, D.C.
In this April 10, 2007 file photo, NBA official Tim Donaghy talks with another official during a basketball game between the Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets in Washington, D.C.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)
Houston Rockets' Jim Jackson argues a foul called by Tim Donaghy, right,  during the closing seconds of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in Houston, in this Nov. 11, 2004 file photo.
Houston Rockets' Jim Jackson argues a foul called by Tim Donaghy, right, during the closing seconds of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, in Houston, in this Nov. 11, 2004 file photo.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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