[Bryan88]

Charlotte Observer | 06/20/2008 | NBA demands $1.4 million from disgraced referee

The NBA wants disgraced referee Tim Donaghy to pay the league $1.4 million, including his wages for games on which he bet or provided inside tips to gamblers.
The written demand, filed Thursday in federal court, asks a judge to force Donaghy to pay the sum as restitution in his gambling case. The league previously indicated it would seek $1 million.

The Donaghy scandal "has harmed the NBA and caused it to spend vast sums to undo that harm," league lawyers wrote.

In an earlier filing, defense attorney John Lauro accused the NBA of trying to extract the money to punish Donaghy for embarrassing the league with allegations of widespread misconduct by executives and employees - including claims that referees rigged games by making bad calls. The league has denied the accusations.

The NBA "provides no support whatsoever for the demand, which appears to be a transparent effort to intimidate Mr. Donaghy," Lauro wrote.

Both sides are expected to argue the issue next week in court in Brooklyn.

Donaghy, 41, pleaded guilty last year to felony charges of taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games himself. He faces up to 33 months in prison at sentencing, set for July 14.

Donaghy has admitted betting on about half the games he officiated for three seasons, beginning in 2003. The NBA argues that he consequently owes the league roughly half his wages for that period: $504,719. The league also claims he should pay back an additional $72,593 for the 16 games on which he provided tips to gamblers during the 2006-2007 season.

Finally, Donaghy should foot the bill for the legal fees and other expenses related to an internal "risk review" prompted by the case, the NBA said.

The expenses include pay for two league employees who spent 125 hours - at $270 per hour and $100 per hour - reviewing videotapes of games Donaghy refereed. The NBA also wants Donaghy to pick up the $516,971 tab for a law firm that interviewed 57 NBA referees as part of the internal investigation.

[LSC9901]

Seems like they are asking for a lot but then again we entrust to the refs to call the game as fair as is humanly possible. Intentionally throwing a game for money deserves punishment. Set the bar high now so others will actually take note.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Seems like they are asking for a lot but then again we entrust to the refs to call the game as fair as is humanly possible. Intentionally throwing a game for money deserves punishment. Set the bar high now so others will actually take note.

I agree 100%, they need to make a strong example of of Donaghy. Not only does it send a message to the other refs, but it also sends a message to the public that they will not tolerate this and will do everything they can to ensure the game remains pure.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

I agree 100%, they need to make a strong example of of Donaghy. Not only does it send a message to the other refs, but it also sends a message to the public that they will not tolerate this and will do everything they can to ensure the game remains pure.

If that's the message the NBA's trying to send, this is the wrong way to go about it. This looks more like trying to strong arm him into shutting up to me. It does nothing to protect or reinforce the integrity of the game. If anything, I think this move puts the NBA in a negative light, like they're trying to silence Donaghy, which of course suggests that he has more to tell.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

If that's the message the NBA's trying to send, this is the wrong way to go about it. This looks more like trying to strong arm him into shutting up to me. It does nothing to protect or reinforce the integrity of the game. If anything, I think this move puts the NBA in a negative light, like they're trying to silence Donaghy, which of course suggests that he has more to tell.

I guess I don't follow your logic on this one. If they wanted to shut him up wouldn't they offer him a deal for his silence ? $1.4 million doesn't seem like any deal to me. If I were a ref who had tossed a game but hadn't yet been caught those kind of numbers might just get my attention. Not only are those numbers high but the potential loss of earnings in the future has to weigh heavily on my mind.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I guess I don't follow your logic on this one. If they wanted to shut him up wouldn't they offer him a deal for his silence ? $1.4 million doesn't seem like any deal to me. If I were a ref who had tossed a game but hadn't yet been caught those kind of numbers might just get my attention. Not only are those numbers high but the potential loss of earnings in the future has to weigh heavily on my mind.

If they paid him off, that would've looked REALLY bad. You can't do that and save face. So what's the next best thing? Strongarm tactics.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

If they paid him off, that would've looked REALLY bad. You can't do that and save face. So what's the next best thing? Strongarm tactics.

So you are saying that if Donaghy shuts up, then the league will do away with this $1.4 million demand? This whole situation is just a mess.