The only games former
NBA referee
Tim Donaghy might be calling will be between inmates, after entering a guilty plea on two felony charges for his involvement in a betting scandal on Wednesday.
Donaghy pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information through interstate commerce, in a scam that shook the professional sports world to its foundations.
Speaking in code to his co-conspirators during phone calls, Donaghy recommended teams to bet on and called 'picks', says US District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon. When he was correct, they paid him $5,000.
The picks included information about games he worked (due to his unique access he knew who would be officiating), the interaction between officials and players and the physical condition of teams on either side.
Donaghy was rated in the top tier of officials and there was nothing suspicious about the frequency of his foul calls, say NBA officials. He was assigned to work in the second round of the playoffs, with his last NBA game coming during the Phoenix-San Antonio Western Conference semi-final series.
Prosecutors said in open court that Donaghy bet on games himself, but that was not a specific part of the verbal admission he made before the judge.
"Tim is relieved this part of the proceeding is over and we look forward to completely resolving this matter in the coming months," says defence attorney John Lauro. "Tim deeply regrets his involvement in this matter and especially the pain it has caused his family, friends and co-workers."
His two alleged co-conspirators, identified by prosecutors as James Battista, a professional gambler with the nicknames "Baba" and "Sheep" and Thomas Martino, were in the custody of federal marshals on Wednesday and were awaiting arraignment on conspiracy charges carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Donaghy was released on a $250,000 bond. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution.
The disgraced referee's next court date is Nov. 9, however no sentencing date has been set.
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