Donaghy gets 15 months

[VF21]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-bettingprobe&prov=ap&type=lgns

NY judge sentences disgraced NBA ref to 15 months
By TOM HAYS, Associated Press Writer 25 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AP)—Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in prison Tuesday for setting off a gambling scandal that tarnished the league’s reputation and raised questions about the integrity of its officiating.

The sentencing in Brooklyn federal court culminated a case that hung over the league throughout the season and even into the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. League commissioner David Stern has repeatedly denied Donaghy’s claim that corruption among referees goes beyond him.

Donaghy’s lawyer had asked the judge for probation. Donaghy had faced up to 33 months in prison, but the judge gave him credit for his cooperation.

Folding his arms but showing no other emotion, the 41-year-old Donaghy apologized to the court. “I brought shame on myself and my family,” he said.

Donaghy pleaded guilty last August to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce for taking payoffs from a professional gambler for inside tips on games.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Yeah, I'm satisfied with 15 months. He probably deserved more but the fact that he brough attention back to how disgraceful the Kings/Lakers 2002 WCF (be it true or not) made me forgive him a little bit. At least he got people seeing how ridiculous the refs can get.

 

[Oscar]

Lying scumbag degenerate gambler. He should have gotten a longer sentence, followed by restitution with interest to the NBA of all the money he scammed.

 

[jacobdrj]

I am angry that he may have cost some legitimacy to the NBA and some grief its fans, but he didn't kill anyone. He gambled. He got a sentence that is only a bit less than the standard for his type of crime, and he was the one who 'cooperated'.... I think it is the right move. But he isn't on my list with Hitler and Stalin quite yet.

 

[sloter]

Anyone thinks he'll be able to get his old job back after he gets out ?
I bet he'd be one of the most trusting refs...

 

[PurpleHaze]

If the Kings leave Sacramento I think all of us fans here should institute a class action civil suit against Donaghy and the NBA (because they have deep pockets and Donagny doesn't) for fraud, bad faith, or whatever other legal charge/remedy available. I would love to see the TRUTH revealed about what really happened in that infamous Kings/Lakers WCF - we'll never know unless depositions are taken and there's a trial.