donaghy to plead guilty

Source: Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy plans to plead guilty Wednesday in Brooklyn court

By PAT MILTON, Associated Press Writer
August 14, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy planned to plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges alleging he bet on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe said.

Donaghy was to turn himself at Brooklyn federal court, the person, who was not authorized to speak about the case, said late Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

Donaghy's attorney, John Lauro, and federal prosecutors declined to comment.

Besides allegedly placing his own wagers, investigators also examined whether Donaghy provided inside information to others, including referees' schedules, according to a person familiar with the investigation.

The FBI first contacted the NBA on June 20 to talk about a referee alleged to be gambling on games, and the two sides met on June 21, NBA commissioner David Stern said last month. Donaghy resigned July 9, though Stern said he would have fired him sooner but was told it might affect the investigation.

Stern blamed a "rogue, isolated criminal" for the betting scandal that has devastated the league and threatened the credibility of every referee.