From this story, it looks like he never actually "fixed" games, just bet on them and provided info to other people. Of course, public perception is another thing entirely. I'm thinking he'll get 10 years and be out in five... http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2975532 Donaghy pleads guilty, could face up to 25 years in prison Associated Press Updated: August 15, 2007, 10:40 AM ET NEW YORK -- Former referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to two felony charges Wednesday in connection with the NBA betting scandal. Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting waging information through interstate commerce. Donaghy provided recommendations, called "picks," to co-conspirators about what team they should bet on, said U.S. District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon. If he was correct, they paid him. The information was not public, the judge said. Donaghy had "unique access," including what crews would officiate at games, the interaction of different officials and players, and the physical condition of certain players. He concealed the scheme from the NBA and other referees to avoid detection, the judge said. Donaghy also must pay a $500,000 fine and at least $30,000 in restitution. Prosecutors said in open court that Donaghy bet on games himself; but that was not part of his plea. 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, NBA commissioner David Stern said last month. Donaghy resigned July 9 after 13 years as a referee; 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 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 series. 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."
So many Mike Vick defenders have said this whole thing is unfair because what Donaghy did was worse yet Vick suffers more, as if it's a race issue. If Donaghy gets anywhere near 25 years, hopefully that nonsense gets put to rest. If Tom Brady or Peyton Manning were in this situation instead of Vick, it would be an even bigger story.
uhmmmm it looks like he did fix games....pretty much betted on a team n provided info about the team thats most likely gonna win since he was officiating it so he would make bull**** calls. I think he deserves atleast 15-20 years becauase not only the team n players gets screwed but also so many fans that pay so much to watch the game later finds out that the referee was cheating, while referee was making money illegally. Not to mention hes been officiating for so many years n many teams might have gotten screwed.
Not trying to defend the guy ( i think he is a low-life) but, I don't think he was effecting the outcome of games, just the point spread. We don't know the details of the investigation, so to say he has been screwing over teams for his entire career is wrong. For all we know it could have only been going on for a year or so.
I really don't understand how anyone could argue that what Donaghy did was worse than what Vick did. Donaghy didn't physically hurt any living creature. In fact, had he done what he did for a year then quit, it's likely nobody would have ever even known there was a crime, much less a victim. I hope they throw the book at Donaghy so that other refs know better than to get involved in garbage like this, but to claim this is worse than what Vick did - a savage crime that resulted in the loss of lives... that just baffles me. Of course, I am a vegan and a strong advocate of animal rights, but still - ordinarily when an argument is presented, (even if I don't agree with it) I can usually understand their point of view or the basis of their argument. But I can find no logic whatsoever in claiming the crime Donaghy committed was worse than what Vick did. I'm completely baffled by the suggestion.
People keep saying that, but I don't see how you can affect point spreads without affecting outcomes. Maybe if all he does is make a last second call to nudge the game 2 points. But, if he makes a call a minute out, and then somone like McGrady suddenly gets hot, or someone like Artest gets tossed from the game, or whatever, then the call can end up a difference-maker. If he calls fouls early and often to increase or decrease the point-total for the over-under, who knows what effect that had on winning and losing.
ask david stern if he would rather have a player gambling on games or a player fighting dogs. besides, the issue of what's worse is a non issue, that's the sentence donaghy is facing, the sentence for dog fighting is only one year, lastly, donaghy had mob connections (low level) but still that's how the investigation started. two totally different issues
you disagree? except for the "savage" part, what you quoted was fact. and it'd be hard to argue what Vick did wasn't savage...
I guess I should have quoted everything, its savage, but its dogs, its animals. unfortunately i just don't agree that it should be legally worse, and legally it isn't.
gotcha. i disagree completely, but was a little confused what you were even arguing. i understand now.
This is the Federal system. He can not get out in five years if he is sentenced to 10. You have to serve at least 85 percent of your federal prison sentence. There is no parole like at the state level. You are right though, he wont get anywhere near 25 years since he took a plea.
Why is David Stern, a biased party that has a huge stake in the league, the arbitery of what's worse? Why not ask PETA what's worse? The potential sentence for the RICO charges and everything else combined totals more than 25 years, I believe. RICO is 20. Conspiracy is 5. Dog-fighting is 1, etc.
because we're talking about an nfl ref vs. an nba player. we can ask roger goodell, isn't the issue what the nfl is going to do about vick. what rico charges?
how about we just ask you as a fan, what would bother you more, a player whom you assumed was throwing a game or player involved in dog fighting? whom would you less likely pay money to see?
as far as people defending donaghy, nobody knew who this guy was (even though he is a ref) before this scandal.
The entire point of a plea bargain is that you get a reduced sentence for: * providing testimony against other persons and/or * pleading guilty to some (but not all) of the charges. Donaghy might very well have fixed some games, or at least altered the point spreads, but is only pleading guilty to less serious charges as part of the arrangement. DISCLAIMER: I'm not an attorney, although I sometimes play one on Clutchfans.
