Ex-NBA Ref's Attorney Says League is Ignoring Gambling Issues
Betting among NBA officials, players and coaches “affected the outcome of games,” states a letter sent by a former referee’s lawyer to a federal court as he awaits sentencing for his own basketball gambling misconduct.
But the NBA is downplaying claims by former ref Tim Donaghy, through his lawyer, John Lauro, that he is being disproportionately punished despite his considerable cooperation with the government, according to CBS News and the Associated Press.
Lauro contends the NBA is ignoring bigger gambling issues revealed by Donaghy, to his client’s detriment at sentencing.
But an NBA executive pooh-poohs this claim, AP reports:
“The letter filed today on Mr. Donaghy’s behalf contains an assortment of lies, unfounded allegations, and facts that have been previously acknowledged, such as the fact that certain NBA referees engaged in casino gambling in violation of NBA rules,” says Joel Litvin, NBA president for league and basketball operations, in a written statement. “The letter is the desperate act of a convicted felon who is hoping to avoid prison time.”
Donaghy pleaded guilty in August 2007, recounts CBS, to betting on games at which he officiated as a referee and providing insider information to gambling associates.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14, and Lauro is pushing for probation rather than prison time.
Additional coverage:
Philadelphia Inquirer: “Donaghy’s lawyer says old friends pressed him”
New York Times: “Lawyer and N.B.A. Are Trading Insults”
ABAJournal.com: “NBA Refs Lawyer Up in Betting Probe”
