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Disgraced NBA Referee's Phone Calls to Second Ref Raise Questions
Fox News ^ | July 14, 2008 | Jana Winter

Posted on 07/14/2008 11:23:46 PM PDT by Roberts

EXCLUSIVE: NEW YORK — NBA referee Tim Donaghy made repeated phone calls to a second referee at the same time he provided inside information to professional gamblers during the course of the 2006-2007 season, according to court documents and phone records obtained by FOXNews.com.

The records show Donaghy placed 134 calls to referee Scott Foster — more than the 126 calls Donaghy made to his bookie — between October 2006 and April 2007, the period during which he has confessed to either betting on games or passing on game information to gamblers. The majority of the phone calls lasted no more than two minutes and occurred prior to and after games Donaghy officiated and on which he admits wagering.

With the exception of 150 calls Donaghy placed to Thomas Martino, to whom he says he provided “picks” to win games and who was the middleman between the disgraced referee and a bookie named James Battista, the ex-ref phoned no one more than he called Foster. During this period, the most calls Donaghy made to any other referee were 13.

It’s unclear what information was exchanged during the calls between Foster and Donaghy, who is awaiting sentencing later this month in federal court after reaching a plea deal in the case. Federal prosecutors in the case declined to comment on this report. But former federal prosecutors not involved in the investigation say the frequency and duration of the calls, as well as the days they took place, are suspicious.

The new information may call into question insistent claims by NBA Commissioner David Stern that Donaghy was a “rogue, isolated criminal” acting on his own, without the cooperation of any other referees or league officials.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: corruption; donaghy; nba; officiating
David Stern indignantly has insisted that Donaghy is the only crooked NBA referee, while NBA fans have suspected differently for years. This is getting interesting.
1 posted on 07/14/2008 11:23:46 PM PDT by Roberts
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An organization with tons of rich,thug employees, ran by greed merchants and they don’t think low-paid refs might want a piece of the action???????????


2 posted on 07/14/2008 11:41:43 PM PDT by freeplancer
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To: Roberts
I am more and more turned off by professional sports......so many games with highly suspect outcomes and now we have jailed referees yet the commish doesn't think anything is wrong?...bs...

the same with football.....after that "storybook" superbowl that was awarded to the Steelers, nothing is believable anymore....

3 posted on 07/14/2008 11:50:51 PM PDT by cherry
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To: Roberts

This is the only sport I know of that actually has different rules for different players. As long as it’s sanctioned by the league, why shouldn’t a ref make some money off of it.?


4 posted on 07/14/2008 11:51:08 PM PDT by Krankor (N)
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To: Roberts

NBA refs are no different than pro-wrestling refs.


5 posted on 07/15/2008 12:01:39 AM PDT by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: Krankor
This is the only sport I know of that actually has different rules for different players.

Actually, this happens in baseball as well. The young pitchers get small strike zones and so do the "super" batters. All the commentators remarked about the small strike zone given to Barry Bonds. It seemed as if the refs decided to take a rest and let Barry call the balls and strikes.

6 posted on 07/15/2008 12:11:41 AM PDT by the_Watchman
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To: Roberts
Gee, as if anybody thinks the NBA is 'real'.

It's wrestling with a ball.

Once the fans knew the "names" of the refs and their "personalities" it was over. Point shaving and gambling is old news. That's why it takes 15 minutes to play the last 60 seconds of a game. ya just gotta get the point spread right.

If the FBI and IRS are really interested they should just do an asset or forensic financial audit on the refs. Look at all their bank accounts, wire transfers, off shore activity and what assets they have for the salary they earn.

That's if they "want" to know what is really going on.

The only basketball really worthwhile is the NCAA finals.

7 posted on 07/15/2008 6:54:45 AM PDT by Dick Vomer (liberals suck....... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.,)
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