The NBA is involved in an investigation by the FBF into alleged
gambling and game-fixing by recently retired referee Tim Donaghy,
according to The New York Post.
The newspaper, citing an unnamed source, reported Donaghy was
ready to cooperate with authorities and name other referees,
players, coaches and gambling figures who might be involved in the
league-rocking scandal.
A terrified Donaghy, whose name was first unearthed during
wiretaps in the Gambino mobster case, had received death threats
and received police protection in the wake of the probe, the
Post reported, saying relatives urged him to join a
witness relocation program.
Federal investigators are looking into claims Donaghy, 40,
worked with mobsters to fix margins and outcomes of NBA games to
pay off gambling debts.
He resigned earlier this month after a 13-year career following
allegations that he bet on games that he officiated.
No specific games in which he was involved have been revealed,
as being under scrutiny, although among those he handled was a game
in the San Antonio-Phoenix playoff series.
San Antonio beat the Suns and swept to the NBA crown over
Cleveland in the finals.
NBA commissioner David Stern has called a Tuesday morning news
conference where he will answer questions on the matter. He made a
statement Friday when news of the scandal became public.
The New York Daily News, citing an unnamed source,
reported NBA officials had a private investigator following Donaghy
more than a year ago but continued to assign him to games into the
second round of the NBA playoffs last May.
The News also reported that Donaghy received an
above-average evaluation from superiors last season, when Donaghy
called the most technical fouls of any referee in the NBA.
(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2007)