NEW YORK (AFP) — The attorney for disgraced former National Basketball Association referee Tim Donaghy filed a letter in US District Court claiming the gambling scandal Donaghy aided went deeper among NBA employees.
John Lauro, Donaghy's lawyer, claimed the outcomes of NBA games were influenced by relationships between referees and league players and coaches. Donaghy officiated in the NBA for 13 seasons before resigning last year.
"Tim described the gambling activities of NBA officials, which were contrary to league rules," Lauro's letter said. "He also furnished information concerning circumstances that favored certain players or teams over others."
The 36-page letter argues Donaghy should not serve time behind bars after a guilty plea on fraud and gambling charges. Donaghy, 41, faces up to 25 years in prison and a 500,000-dollar fine at a July 14 sentencing hearing.
The letter also claimed the NBA pressed prosecutors to shut down the case to keep the extent of the scandal secret and that another referee gave a coach confidential information, potentially affecting a game's outcome.
The NBA "allowed an environment to exist that made inside information, including knowledge of the particular officials who would work a game, valuable in connection with predicting the outcome of games," Lauro claimed.
"Particular relationships between officials and coaches or players affected the outcome of games, and other practices prevented games from being played on a level playing field."
No details on any of the claims were provided in the letter and Joel Litvin, the NBA president of league and basketball operations, made a statement dismissing the allegations.
"The letter is the desperate act of a convicted felon who is hoping to avoid prison time," Litvin said. "The only thing it proves is that Mr. Donaghy is no more trustworthy today than he was when he was breaking the law by betting on NBA games."
Lauro claimed Donaghy's associates in the scheme threatened the referee's family, claims denied by lawyers for others prosecuted in the case.
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