Post by Coach on Jul 24, 2007 11:23:30 GMT -5
sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2947237
Stern: Bet probe 'worst situation that I have ever experienced'
NEW YORK -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said Tuesday that to his current knowledge, former league referee Tim Donaghy is the only league official being accused of placing bets on NBA games and providing information to others betting on NBA games.
"We think we have here a rogue, isolated criminal here," Stern said at a news conference. "I feel betrayed by what happened on behalf of the sport."
"I also understand [Donaghy] is the only referee alleged to have bet on NBA games and disclosed confidential information to others," Stern said, adding 'Let me make it clear that's my current understanding."
"If that understanding changes tomorrow, I will so inform everybody," he added later.
Stern said the NBA is aware Donaghy is being accused of betting on games and providing information to others for the purpose of profitting off bets. Stern also said that he was unaware of any discussions of Donaghy potentially fixing games. He said the league was made aware of the allegations on June 20 and that Donaghy resigned on July 9.
"Suffice to say, we would have liked to have terminated him earlier, but our understanding was the investigation would best be aided if we did not terminate Mr. Donaghy," Stern said.
According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether Donaghy made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered thousands of dollars over the past two seasons. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, because he wasn't authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
The referee had a gambling problem and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance, the official said.
Though under investigation, Donaghy has not yet been charged with any crime. Asked how he knows Donaghy did the things he is accused of doing, Stern said "His lawyer informed us that he's comtemplating a plea."
"This is 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 commissioner of the NBA," said Stern, speaking deliberately and without any of his typical enthusiasm. "We take our obligation to our fans in this situation very, very seriously."
"I pledge that we will do every look-back possible to analyze our processes and seek the best advice possible to ... continue to assure fans that we are doing the best we possibly can," Stern said.
Asked if he was surprised that the NBA's background checks and oversight of its referees missed Donaghy's alleged conduct, Stern had harsh criticism for the former referee.
"I'm surprised, but I guess no more surprised than the head of the FBI, head of CIA when rogue employees turn on their country despite the best investigative procedures in the country," he said.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that the NBA sent an eight-page pamphlet to all its referees entitled "Bad Bets: Understanding the NBA's Anti Gambling Rules." In it, it confirms to officials that they are prohibited from gambling or placing bets of any time.
He is the only referee, at this point, under investigation, according to a law enforcement official, but others outside the NBA are expected to be charged in the betting probe.
The New York Daily News, citing unidentified law enforcement sources, reported Sunday that Donaghy will cooperate with authorities and possibly name other officials and players involved in the betting scandal. On Monday, the newspaper reported former neighbors of Donaghy in Pennsylvania said they were approached more than a year ago by a private investigator they believed was hired by the NBA to check into Donaghy's gambling habits.
The first allegations of Donaghy being involved in gambling were raised in 2005 during an investigation into an unrelated dispute with a neighbor. During the NBA's investigation into that matter, Stern said, it was suggested that Donaghy had bet at a casino in Atlantic City. The NBA checked every casino in the city and its investigation came up negative, Stern said.
Stern said the league makes it clear to referees that betting on games or providing information about games to others is strictly forbidden and that being caught will cost offenders their jobs.
"Our rules are crystal clear that referees may not either gamble on our games or provide information to anyone about those games," Stern said. "They can't gamble, they can't provide to anyone other than immediate family their travel schedule."
The league also conducts extensive background checks "to the limit provided by the law," Stern said, and has a consultant in Las Vegas charting unusual movements in betting on NBA games.
Stern: Bet probe 'worst situation that I have ever experienced'
NEW YORK -- NBA Commissioner David Stern said Tuesday that to his current knowledge, former league referee Tim Donaghy is the only league official being accused of placing bets on NBA games and providing information to others betting on NBA games.
"We think we have here a rogue, isolated criminal here," Stern said at a news conference. "I feel betrayed by what happened on behalf of the sport."
"I also understand [Donaghy] is the only referee alleged to have bet on NBA games and disclosed confidential information to others," Stern said, adding 'Let me make it clear that's my current understanding."
"If that understanding changes tomorrow, I will so inform everybody," he added later.
Stern said the NBA is aware Donaghy is being accused of betting on games and providing information to others for the purpose of profitting off bets. Stern also said that he was unaware of any discussions of Donaghy potentially fixing games. He said the league was made aware of the allegations on June 20 and that Donaghy resigned on July 9.
"Suffice to say, we would have liked to have terminated him earlier, but our understanding was the investigation would best be aided if we did not terminate Mr. Donaghy," Stern said.
According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether Donaghy made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered thousands of dollars over the past two seasons. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, because he wasn't authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
The referee had a gambling problem and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance, the official said.
Though under investigation, Donaghy has not yet been charged with any crime. Asked how he knows Donaghy did the things he is accused of doing, Stern said "His lawyer informed us that he's comtemplating a plea."
"This is 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 commissioner of the NBA," said Stern, speaking deliberately and without any of his typical enthusiasm. "We take our obligation to our fans in this situation very, very seriously."
"I pledge that we will do every look-back possible to analyze our processes and seek the best advice possible to ... continue to assure fans that we are doing the best we possibly can," Stern said.
Asked if he was surprised that the NBA's background checks and oversight of its referees missed Donaghy's alleged conduct, Stern had harsh criticism for the former referee.
"I'm surprised, but I guess no more surprised than the head of the FBI, head of CIA when rogue employees turn on their country despite the best investigative procedures in the country," he said.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that the NBA sent an eight-page pamphlet to all its referees entitled "Bad Bets: Understanding the NBA's Anti Gambling Rules." In it, it confirms to officials that they are prohibited from gambling or placing bets of any time.
He is the only referee, at this point, under investigation, according to a law enforcement official, but others outside the NBA are expected to be charged in the betting probe.
The New York Daily News, citing unidentified law enforcement sources, reported Sunday that Donaghy will cooperate with authorities and possibly name other officials and players involved in the betting scandal. On Monday, the newspaper reported former neighbors of Donaghy in Pennsylvania said they were approached more than a year ago by a private investigator they believed was hired by the NBA to check into Donaghy's gambling habits.
The first allegations of Donaghy being involved in gambling were raised in 2005 during an investigation into an unrelated dispute with a neighbor. During the NBA's investigation into that matter, Stern said, it was suggested that Donaghy had bet at a casino in Atlantic City. The NBA checked every casino in the city and its investigation came up negative, Stern said.
Stern said the league makes it clear to referees that betting on games or providing information about games to others is strictly forbidden and that being caught will cost offenders their jobs.
"Our rules are crystal clear that referees may not either gamble on our games or provide information to anyone about those games," Stern said. "They can't gamble, they can't provide to anyone other than immediate family their travel schedule."
The league also conducts extensive background checks "to the limit provided by the law," Stern said, and has a consultant in Las Vegas charting unusual movements in betting on NBA games.
