New York – Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy planned to plead guilty in federal court today to charges alleging he wagered on games he officiated, a person familiar with the betting scandal probe said.
Donaghy was to surrender at Brooklyn federal court, the person said on condition of anonymity because Donaghy hadn’t turned himself in yet.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank told the AP the league was informed Tuesday that Donaghy would plead today but was given no further information.
Donaghy’s attorney, John Lauro, and federal prosecutors declined to comment. NBA commissioner David Stern said last month the referee’s lawyer told the league his client was contemplating a plea.
Investigators say Donaghy placed his own wagers and also were examining whether Donaghy provided inside information, including referees’ schedules, to others. The referee had a gambling problem and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance, a law enforcement official said.
The FBI first contacted the NBA on June 20 to talk about a referee alleged to be gambling on games, and the two sides met on June 21, Stern said last month. Donaghy resigned July 9 after 13 years as a referee, though Stern said he would have fired him sooner but was told it might affect the investigation.
Stern blamed a “rogue, isolated criminal” for the betting scandal that has devastated the league and threatened the credibility of every referee.
Donaghy was rated in the top tier of officials, Stern said, and there was nothing suspicious about the frequency of his foul calls.
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 semifinal.
No other NBA officials or players were expected to be involved in the scandal, which Stern called the “most serious situation and worst situation that I have ever experienced either as a fan of the NBA, a lawyer for the NBA or a commissioner of the NBA.”
SOCCER
Beckham: I will play tonight
David Beckham said he will play for the Los Angeles Galaxy tonight.
The English superstar practiced for the first time since joining the team a month ago. He appeared to move well laterally and got off a few long kicks near the end of a scrimmage.
“Good to at least get out on the field and have a bit of practice,” he said.
The 32-year-old midfielder’s nagging left ankle injury isn’t completely healed, although Beckham pronounced himself “about 78 percent” ready to go.
“It’s not perfect yet, but I think I can at least play half a game tomorrow,” he said, wiping sweat from his face. “It still feels unstable to a certain extent, but it feels stable enough to actually play in a game and see how far I can take it.”
The Galaxy and Beckham travel to Colorado to take on the Rapids on Aug. 26.
FOOTNOTES
Rutgers player sues Imus
A member of the Rutgers women’s basketball team sued Don Imus and CBS, claiming the radio personality’s sexist and racist comments about the team damaged her reputation.
Kia Vaughn filed the lawsuit alleging slander and defamation of character in state Supreme Court the same day Imus settled with CBS Radio in a deal that pre-empts his threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS. The settlement allows him to make a comeback bid at a new station.
Vaughn’s lawsuit, believed to be the first by a player in the case, says Imus and his former co-host Bernard McGuirk, along with CBS Corp. and CBS Radio, are legally responsible for damage done to her character and reputation. There is no dollar amount listed in the suit.
German athletes who miss two out-of-competition doping tests will be excluded from next year’s Beijing Olympics, the country’s Olympic sports union said.
Athletes who have admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs in the past will also be left off the Olympic team.
David Lopez Garcia of Spain won the toughest climb in the Tour of Germany and Jens Voigt took a major step toward winning his home race for the second straight year by finishing second during the fifth stage in Soelden, Austria.
Garcia covered the 98-mile stage in 4 hours, 21 minutes, 7 seconds and is now second overall, 33 seconds behind Voigt. The German finished the stage 12 seconds back.
An autopsy on pro wrestler Brian “Crush” Adams failed to show a specific cause of death.
The Hillsborough County (Fla.) medical examiner’s office said it will conduct tissue and toxicology tests to try to determine what killed the 44-year-old wrestler. A completed autopsy report is expected in six to eight weeks.
Defenseman Joe DiPenta signed a one-year contract with the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks.
The Los Angeles Clippers added frontcourt depth by signing former North Carolina State forward Josh Powell.
