News in the Press

Ex-NBA Referee Tim Donaghy Sentencing Date Delayed to July 29

By Lindsay Fortado
Bloomberg.com

July 9 (Bloomberg) -- Ex-National Basketball Association referee Tim Donaghy will be sentenced on July 29, almost a year after pleading guilty to illegally betting on games,.

The former referee faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and as much as $500,000 in fines when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carol Amon in Brooklyn federal court. Amon rescheduled Donaghy's sentencing from July 14 at a hearing this morning to allow time for additional court papers to be filed regarding restitution Donaghy may have to make to the NBA.

Amon also denied Donaghy's request to allow Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Philip Scala to testify before his sentencing regarding the extent of the former referee's cooperation with the government.

Donaghy pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy on Aug. 15. He admitted using nonpublic information on player injuries in making bets.

On July 1, the NBA hired retired U.S. Army General Ronald L. Johnson to oversee all aspects of the league's officiating program as its senior vice president of referee operations, a newly created position.

The case is U.S. v. Donaghy, 07-00587, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn).

To contact the reporter on this story: Lindsay Fortado in Brooklyn federal court at lfortado@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 9, 2008 12:11 EDT