chefcraig
06-11-2009, 08:23 PM
Disgraced NBA Ref Reportedly Beaten In Prison
Scheduled For Released Soon, Tim Donaghy Said To Suffer Serious Injuries In Attack By Man Connected To N.Y. Mob
NEW YORK (CBS) ―Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy is set to be released from prison next week -- amid questions about his medical condition.
Donaghy, who is serving 15 months for betting on pro basketball games, was assaulted by a fellow inmate who claimed to be connected to organized crime.
"Donaghy was injured during an assault in November of 2008. During the assault, another inmate claiming ties to the New York mob beat Donaghy with a heavy object. Donaghy suffered severe knee and leg injuries that will require surgery," Executive Prison Consultants said in a press release.
Donaghy will complete his prison term at a halfway house in Tampa, Fla. His future plans include re-uniting with his four daughters, obtaining employment, participating in treatment for his addiction to gambling, and finishing a memoir of his 13 years in the NBA.
Donaghy's sentencing in Brooklyn federal court last July culminated a case that hung over the league throughout the season and even into the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. League commissioner David Stern angrily denied Donaghy's claim that corruption among referees goes beyond him.
Before hearing his sentence, Donaghy apologized to the court. "I've brought shame on myself, my family and the profession," he said.
Donaghy had faced up to 33 months in prison. His lawyer asked the judge for probation, arguing that he deserved leniency because he was a pathological gambler. The defense also noted that Donaghy cooperated with prosecutors and tried to expose widespread corruption among referees -- allegations the league has vehemently denied.
U.S. District Judge Carol Amon gave him credit for his cooperation, but scolded him for disgracing the sport.
"The NBA, the players and the fans relied on him to perform his job in an honest manner," she said.
In addition to the prison time, the judge ordered Donaghy to serve three years of supervised release.
Donaghy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce for taking payoffs from a professional gambler for inside tips on games.
Disgraced NBA Ref Reportedly Beaten In Prison - wcbstv.com (http://wcbstv.com/sports/tim.donaghy.verdict.2.1041188.html)
Scheduled For Released Soon, Tim Donaghy Said To Suffer Serious Injuries In Attack By Man Connected To N.Y. Mob
NEW YORK (CBS) ―Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy is set to be released from prison next week -- amid questions about his medical condition.
Donaghy, who is serving 15 months for betting on pro basketball games, was assaulted by a fellow inmate who claimed to be connected to organized crime.
"Donaghy was injured during an assault in November of 2008. During the assault, another inmate claiming ties to the New York mob beat Donaghy with a heavy object. Donaghy suffered severe knee and leg injuries that will require surgery," Executive Prison Consultants said in a press release.
Donaghy will complete his prison term at a halfway house in Tampa, Fla. His future plans include re-uniting with his four daughters, obtaining employment, participating in treatment for his addiction to gambling, and finishing a memoir of his 13 years in the NBA.
Donaghy's sentencing in Brooklyn federal court last July culminated a case that hung over the league throughout the season and even into the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. League commissioner David Stern angrily denied Donaghy's claim that corruption among referees goes beyond him.
Before hearing his sentence, Donaghy apologized to the court. "I've brought shame on myself, my family and the profession," he said.
Donaghy had faced up to 33 months in prison. His lawyer asked the judge for probation, arguing that he deserved leniency because he was a pathological gambler. The defense also noted that Donaghy cooperated with prosecutors and tried to expose widespread corruption among referees -- allegations the league has vehemently denied.
U.S. District Judge Carol Amon gave him credit for his cooperation, but scolded him for disgracing the sport.
"The NBA, the players and the fans relied on him to perform his job in an honest manner," she said.
In addition to the prison time, the judge ordered Donaghy to serve three years of supervised release.
Donaghy pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce for taking payoffs from a professional gambler for inside tips on games.
Disgraced NBA Ref Reportedly Beaten In Prison - wcbstv.com (http://wcbstv.com/sports/tim.donaghy.verdict.2.1041188.html)