Basketball Blues: FBI Calls Foul On Ref

This isn't good for the NBA or Commissioner David Stern:

THE FBI is investigating an NBA referee who allegedly was betting on basketball games - including ones he was officiating during the past two seasons - as part of an organized-crime probe in the Big Apple, The Post has learned.

The investigation, which began more than a year ago, is zeroing in on blockbuster allegations that the referee was making calls that affected the point spread to guarantee that he - and the hoods who had their hooks in him - cashed in on large bets.

Federal agents are set to arrest the referee and a cadre of mobsters and their associates who lined their pockets, sources said.

"These are dangerous people [the referee] was involved with," a source said.

One source close to the probe counted the number of games on which the ref and his wiseguy buddies scored windfalls in the "double digits."

NBA Commissioner David Stern is aware of the investigation and has a report about the referee on his desk, another source said.

The official, whose name was withheld, allegedly wagered on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA seasons.

James Margolin, an FBI spokesman, declined comment on the latest black eye for professional sports.

The sources indicated the referee apparently had a gambling problem, slipped into debt and fell prey to mob thugs.

"That's how he got himself into this predicament" by wagering with mob-connected bookies, one source said.

Referees in basketball have a tremendous amount of power to determine outcomes of games based on how they call fouls. If this referee was as compromised as is being alleged, it throws the outcomes of those games into question. This is a serious black eye for the sport and the NBA has to deal with this issue forthrightly and promptly to assure fans that the outcomes of games are legitimate.

UPDATE:
Naming names time: Tim Donaghy. Oh boy.

Defense attorney John Lauro confirmed Donaghy is under investigation but refused to comment on the allegations or the case.

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether the referee made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

The law enforcement official, who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on the condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges.

This isn't going to sit well with anyone in the NBA Front Office. This goes to the heart of the integrity of the game of professional basketball. If this referee affected the outcome of games, it completely undermines the game and affects the bottom line for the players, teams, and all those who draw income from basketball related activities. Commissioner Stern has to take prompt action here to assure his sponsors that this was a single isolated incident. Investigating the backgrounds of all other referees is a good start - set up an independent counsel to check all referees. However, that wouldn't go far enough. Include checks of players too. The NBA cannot be too careful here in protecting its main asset - the integrity of the game itself.

Here's some background on the games he's refereed:

Age: 40
NBA experience: Referee in 772 regular-season games in 13 seasons
2005-06 season: 63 games; team officiated most often -- Trail Blazers (7 games)
2006-07 season: 68 games; team officiated most often -- Heat and 76ers (8 games)
High school: Cardinal O'Hara (Springfield, Pa.; one of four NBA refs to attend O'Hara)
College: Villanova, 1989
Of note: In his first dozen seasons as an NBA referee, worked 704 regular-season games and 15 playoffs ... Also has seven years of CBA officiating experience ... Played varsity baseball at Villanova ... Participated in the NBA Read to Achieve program.

UPDATE:
True Hoop has all kinds of links to various incidents relating to Donaghy.