Legal Commentary

Ex-NBA Ref Donaghy Sentenced To 15 Months In Prison

By Big Tent Democrat

The game fixing ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months today in federal court in Brooklyn:

Tim Donaghy, the former N.B.A. referee who admitted to betting on games he officiated, was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 months in prison. The sentence delivered by Judge Carol Amon of the United States District Court in Brooklyn was significantly shorter than the 24 to 30 months suggested by federal guidelines. Judge Amon said she wanted to recognize Donaghy’s cooperation, which led to the guilty pleas of two co-defendants, James Battista and Thomas Martino.

. . . “Mr. Donaghy was a central figure in the scheme, and without him, there would have been no scheme,” Judge Amon said. But, she added, “The defendant deserves to receive a benefit for his cooperation, and there is no doubt in this case that he provided substantial cooperation and he should receive a benefit.”

About that cooperation . . .

Lauro argued that Donaghy should be given the most lenient term because he had told federal prosecutors of misconduct by other league officials. . . . But N.B.A. Commissioner David Stern vehemently denied the accusations and said Donaghy had fabricated them in the hopes of avoiding prison time. And in July, federal prosecutors appeared to back up Stern and said much of the information Donaghy provided proved to be unsubstantiated, aside from information about his co-defendants.

“This is a story that is yet to be told,” Lauro said after the sentencing. He was referring to the information provided by Donaghy about the conduct of N.B.A. officials and referees. “All the facts didn’t come at this proceeding, but someday they will.”

I am anxious to see if more shoes drop.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on July 29, 2008 (boomark / email).