NBA referee Tim Donaghy is at the center of an FBI organized-crime probe after he allegedly made bets on basketball games, some of which he was officiating, the Post has learned.
Donaghy, a 13-year veteran of the NBA, resigned from the NBA two weeks ago.
The investigation, ongoing for the past year, focused on allegations that Donaghy, 40, was making calls to affect the point spread so that he and mobster cronies could cash in on large bests. The bets involved thousands of dollars and ocurred during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seven seasons.
Donaghy knows of the investigation, originally reported on by the Post, and is planning on turning himself into officials next week.
One source close to the probe counted the number of games on which the ref and his wiseguy buddies scored windfalls in the "double digits."
Though asked by the government not to comment, NBA Commissioner David Stern spoke briefly Friday afternoon about the investigation.
"As we previously stated, we have been cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of allegations that a single NBA referee bet on NBA games that he officiated," Stern said.
"We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again."
Donaghy allegedly wagered on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA seasons.
James Margolin, an FBI spokesman, declined comment on the latest black eye for professional sports.
The sources indicated the referee apparently had a gambling problem, slipped into debt and fell prey to mob thugs.
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