Perhaps you do not recognize the name immediately. Tim Donaghy is the National Basketball Association referee at the center of the NBA gambling scandal. For sports fans, this referee’s name has become synonymous with infamy. These are some of the legal consequences that Tim Donaghy faces:

“…Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting waging information through interstate commerce.

…Donaghy also must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution.”

link: Donaghy pleads guilty, could face up to 25 years in prison

Ever since the story became public, gambling experts have tried to scrutinize the last years of Tim Donaghy’s work as a referee. At risk is a lucrative gambling industry which frowns upon being cheated. The most obvious nightmare is for the NBA Commissioner, David Stern, and the present and future NBA referees. For years to come, whenever there is a close call made by an official against the home team, there will be echoes, if not chants, of “Donaghy”… “Donaghy”… “Donaghy”…

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]nba, referee, tim donaghy, gambling, officiating[/tags]