Tim Donaghy, the former NBA referee accused of betting on games he officiated, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two charges, including conspiracy to defraud the National Basketball Association.Donaghy was an NBA referee who got involved with the mob and I expect that he's going to sing like a canary for the FBI, who will use his testimony to go after other mobsters.
Donaghy faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy relating to defrauding the NBA and up to five years for conspiracy to transmit bets and wagers, U.S. District Court Judge Carol Amon said in a hearing in Brooklyn federal court.
"I was in a unique position to predict the outcome of NBA games," Donaghy told the judge. "Some of my picks included games I had been assigned to referee."
Donaghy acknowledged receiving several cash payments from unnamed co-conspirators. No amount was discussed in court.
For the NBA, life will go on, and David Stern will have to put this sorry episode behind him. He's got to make sure that the public understands that this was a singular episode and that the integrity of the game will not be compromised. He has to show that in word and deed. Stern has said that the league's investigation found no problems with Donaghy's officiating.
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