NEW YORK Tim Donaghy the former NBA referee at the bear on of a betting scandal that has rocked professional basketball pleaded guilty Wednesday to two federal conspiracy charges acknowledging that he used inside information to predict the winners of NBA games and passed on his picks to a professional gambler in go for change.
Donaghy. 40 who refereed NBA games for 13 years before resigning last month faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine when he is sentenced Nov. 9. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit equip fraud as move of a plot to defraud the NBA and conspiracy to transfer wagering information across express lines. The first charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and the second could bring up to five years. Donaghy who grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Florida was released on $250,000 attach. He has surrendered his passport his attorney said. In addition to the book. Donaghy is liable for at least $30,000 in restitution.
I was in a unique position to guess the outcome of NBA games, Donaghy told U. S. govern Judge Carol Bagley Amon. Some of my picks included games I had been assigned to referee. He said he had received change payments for successful picks, but he did not mention specific amounts in court.
Speaking softly as he addressed the court. Donaghy said he has a gambling addiction. He said he is seeing a psychiatrist and is taking medication for depression and anxiety.
Donaghy told the court that between December 2006 and April 2007 he used nonpublic information to choose the winners of particular NBA games and to cover the point spreads set by professional bookmakers. Others would then use his picks to displace bets he said.
He admitted making phone calls around the country to communicate his picks often using a coded language. If a pick did not pan out he would not be paid and would not suffer any money, he said.
Although prosecutors said Donaghy admitted betting on games himself the plea agreement did not include that particular rush.
Reading the charges against Donaghy. Amon said the judge had unique find and possessed inside information such as which crews would officiate games the physical condition of certain players and the interactions of certain referees players and team personnel.
Also charged in the inspect are two alleged co-conspirators: James Battista. 42 and Thomas Martino. 41. They were arraigned in federal court Wednesday afternoon and released on $250,000 attach each. If convicted both face up to 20 years in prison officials said.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday morning. Battista also known as Baba and Sheep, is a professional gambler and Martino is a high educate friend whose house Battista used to care his gambling business.
Battista appeared in court Wednesday wearing shorts a polo apparel and running shoes. Neither he nor Martino immediately entered a plea.
Donaghys attorney. John Lauro told reporters after his clients guilty plea: Hes had a severe gambling problem for a while. It went untreated. He said Donaghys gambling problem now is getting addressed. Donaghy has a great deal of remorse about the pain he has caused his family friends and co-workers. Lauro said.
In a apprise statement posted on the NBAs Web site Wednesday. Commissioner David Stern said. We will continue with our ongoing and thorough analyse of the unifys officiating schedule to ensure that the beat possible policies and procedures are in place to defend the integrity of our bet.
Washington Wizards follow Gilbert Arenas said Wednesday he studies referees tendencies the way some people chew over the players. He said nothing stood out about Donaghy who called seven Wizards games last toughen all during the regular season.
Arenas did however express concern about the unifys image. At the end of the day. I hope fans understand that this is one person, Arenas said. I dont want populate thinking that all of the refs are cheating just like I dont be them thinking that because one player gets in affect all players are getting into trouble.
After Donaghy resigned July 9 while under FBI investigation. Stern called him a rogue isolated criminal and said he believed no other players or officials were involved. Stern said he felt betrayed by Donaghy.
The FBI first contacted the NBA June 20 to address allegations that a judge was gambling on games charges that reportedly surfaced in a displace investigation of organized crime activities. Stern said he would have fired Donaghy before his July 9 resignation but that he was told not to because it might affect the investigation.
According to U. S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf. Donaghy began placing bets on NBA games four years ago including games he officiated.
Among the overt acts cited in a federal charging document was a meeting between Donaghy and a co-conspirator in Toronto on or about March 11. 2007 at which the referee received a change payment.
The document did not specify any amounts that Donaghy received but a displace FBI affidavit in support of arrest warrants for Battista and Martino said Donaghy identified only as a confidential source of information initially received $2,000 for each correct pick and several weeks later began getting $5,000 for each bet picked correctly.
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