Ex-NBA referee Donaghy sentenced

Donaghy claims to be a gambling addict who needs treatment

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for setting off a gambling scandal that tarnished the reputation of the league.

He also received three years probation from US District Court Judge Carol Amon after pleading guilty to a series of offences last August.

Donaghy, 41, admitted to betting on games he officiated and passing on inside information to bookies.

"I brought shame on myself and my family," said Donaghy.

Donaghy, an NBA official for 13 seasons, was sentenced in Brooklyn federal court for a case that hung heavy over the league throughout last season.

He had pleaded guilty last year 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.

Last month, he marred the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers by making fresh accusations that the league routinely encouraged refs to ring up bogus fouls to manipulate results.

There is little comfort to be gained from the mandatory prison sentence... but hopefully the healing process can begin in earnest for all David Stern NBA commissioner

Donaghy's lawyer had asked Amon for probation and, though he had faced up to 33 months in prison, the judge gave him credit for his cooperation.

He also said that they discouraged referees from calling technical fouls on star players to keep them in games and protect ticket sales and television ratings.

However, League commissioner David Stern has repeatedly denied Donaghy's claim that corruption among referees goes beyond him.

"We anticipate that the judge's sentencing decision, together with the changes we have made to our referee operations staff, will enable us to continue with the improvements we are making to our anti-gambling rules, policies and procedures," said Stern.

"There is little comfort to be gained from the mandatory prison sentence, especially as it affects Mr Donaghy's children and their mother, but hopefully the healing process can begin in earnest for all."

The NBA has made a number of changes to its officiating program in the wake of the scandal.

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ABC network sports commentator Todd Ant told BBC Radio 5 Live that it would have been easy for Donaghy to pass insider information on to gambling rings - and predicted that his sentencing does not mean that the NBA can rest easy.

"The charge was that he gave tips to gamblers, and not that he would change the outcome of a game," he said. "But he did say there were other referees involved.

"The Donaghy case is closed - but the NBA needs to look into, and will look into, other allegations.

"And they are nervous [about that]."