NBA Referee being investigated by the FBI!!!

[mary]

NBA IN A 'FIX' By MURRAY WEISS


July 20, 2007 -- THE FBI is investigating an NBA referee who allegedly was betting on basketball games - including ones he was officiating during the past two seasons - as part of an organized-crime probe in the Big Apple, The Post has learned. The investigation, which began more than a year ago, is zeroing in on blockbuster allegations that the referee was making calls that affected the point spread to guarantee that he - and the hoods who had their hooks in him - cashed in on large bets.

Federal agents are set to arrest the referee and a cadre of mobsters and their associates who lined their pockets, sources said.
"These are dangerous people [the referee] was involved with," a source said.

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."
NBA Commissioner David Stern is aware of the investigation and has a report about the referee on his desk, another source said.

The official, whose name was withheld, 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.

"That's how he got himself into this predicament" by wagering with mob-connected bookies, one source said.

Professional basketball has remained largely unscathed by allegations of game-fixing, although college basketball has been rocked by several scandals involving point-shaving by players, but not officials.

One of the most recent was a Boston College point-shaving scam arranged in the 1980s by mobster Henry Hill, who bribed several players. Hill later became a government informant, and his life was depicted in the movie "GoodFellas."

Having a referee in their pockets provides a two-fold bonanza to game fixers.

Gamblers would be able to directly cash in by betting on games where they knew the point spread was compromised.
But having a ref in their pocket could prove even more lucrative to crooks in a bookmaking syndicate.

Bookmakers hope to encourage an equal amount of betting on each team and make their money on the "vigorish," which is typically 10 percent of a losing bet.

But armed with the inside information, the bookmaking syndicate could set an artificial point spread that would encourage large "layoff" bets from other bookies carrying too much action on one team, that were likely now to lose.

An FBI organized-crime squad in the bureau's flagship New York office is handling the case, but the referee traveled the country officiating various games on which he allegedly bet.

It was not determined which games were allegedly affected by the referee's actions, or how much money may have been won by him and his cohorts.

The FBI got wind of the scheme while conducting a separate mob investigation.

The most prominent American sport- gambling scandal in recent history involved Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose, who was banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on his own team.

Based largely on testimony of two Rose associates, Ron Peters and Paul Janszen, Major League Baseball determined that from 1985 through 1987, Rose bet on baseball, including 52 Reds games in 1987, at a minimum of $10,000 a game.
All of Rose's bets on Cincinnati were to win.

murray.weiss@nypost.com

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07202007...rray_weiss.htm

[The Crippler]

not suprising at all.

[dirt_dobber]

If it turns out to be a ref involved in the Mavs-Heat series I want this head!

I want the commissioner to release names, we the fans deserve names!!!!!!!

If indeed it turns out to be one of those refs it doesn't help the STILL lingering hurt
over losing to those jacka$$'es

[MFFLinFL]

And all this time Cuban saw it. He is a very smart guy!

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Someone should send the FBI all six of the finals games versus the Heat. I'm sure they're quite interested....

[MavsX]

she named names!

-seinfeld

[Kirobaito]

Well, this is the freaking New York Post.

But if this is true, and turns about to be Bennett Salvatore, I can't even begin to describe what I'm going to do.

[Underdog]

Wow, maybe some folks shouldn't be so quick to label other folks as "conspiracy theorists" when conspiracies seem to be slightly more than a figment of the imagination...

Anyone still wanna put a team in Vegas???

[EricaLubarsky]

Its Beneto Salvatori to you, guido.

[Henry_VIII]

Originally Posted by mary

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."

I first read this as 'the ref and his wiseguy buddies scored windfalls in the "double digits"'.
Woohoo! I won $20 and now I'm going to jail.

[dalmations202]

I hope they don't dig too deep, or it could sure hurt the NBA.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

I hope they don't dig too deep, or it could sure hurt the NBA.

Hurt or help?

Do you really want to see your team on the ass-end of a fix (again)?

[Usually Lurkin]

I knew this sounded familiar
http://www.dallas-mavs.com/vb/showth...hlight=referee

Originally Posted by Usually Lurkin

NBA referee Dick Bavetta lives in Ocala:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...-bavetta_x.htm

[Rhylan]

Bob Delaney was a mob informant for awhile.

[bobatundi]

You think it was Bavetta? He probably bet his entire net worth and them some on himself to beat Barkley in a race, then had to sell out to mobsters to cover his massive losses.

[bobatundi]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

I hope they don't dig too deep, or it could sure hurt the NBA.

Couldn't disagree more. They should dig as deep as possible and stomp the whole thing out. Baseball didn't dig deep into steroids in the late 80s-early 90s, and look how the spectre of that looms over the sport. Cycling may never recover from all the doping scandals because they've allowed it to go on for so long. If they don't dig deep, there will always be doubt.

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

Well, this is the freaking New York Post.

But if this is true, and turns about to be Bennett Salvatore, I can't even begin to describe what I'm going to do.

Um this is an investigation that's been going on for a YEAR AND A HALF and FBI is 98% complete and arrests are coming. It's not a question whether it's true or not. It's going down real soon.

Mavs/Heat Finals happened within the last year and a half btw.. just saying is all.

[Flacolaco]

Please don't drag 06 Finals talk into this.

Good lord, we sound like a pathetic group of fans when the officiating in that series comes up.

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Hurt or help?

Do you really want to see your team on the ass-end of a fix (again)?

That isn't the point. If the public sees BBall as fixed or corrupt, then it becomes more like the WWF -- just entertainment.

Of course you would be willing to pay to see it somewhat, but no longer do you need to buy the jerseys or shoes, etc. Ex. I pay money to go see a movie, but I don't buy T-shirts or shoes with the movie on them ( I guess some kids would, but I don't -- and I am the working middle class that spends money).

If this is the case, then $$$$ slows down coming into the NBA.

My personal opinion is that it has been fixed for years, but even if it is, it is still entertainment. I am not sure that Stern hasn't been in on it as well. I know one thing, if it is corrupt clear to the top, and Stern is more like Vince McMahon -- just trying to build the business -- then he screwed up royally not paying the officials better.

They don't want to be digging too deep because if the officials are corrupt or even perceived as corrupt, (and whose to say that Stern didn't tell the officials union to make their money through betting, I mean he could have easily said listen -- you don't need to make but "X" dollars here because you have other ways to make more $$$$ in which you control), then the league is finished and a new league could easily gain the market.

From a conspiracy theorist standpoint, this could be just as damaging as Enron. It does seem awful strange to me that this happens shortly after Joey Crawford was disciplined. I wonder if Stern didn't piss him off enough that a dime was dropped. Let's face it, Crawford would have known where "the bodies" were that were doing the gambling, IF it is all corrupt.

Big picture wise, and from a business standpoint, much of this makes sense -- including the gambling by officials. If you think that some of the players haven't tanked games over the years for $$$$$ then you are way to optimistic - that is one of the reasons why the players are paid so well. If you think that certain markets aren't given a slight edge sometimes in order to keep the numbers up -- then you haven't been watching.

From a business standpoint -- think it is a fluke that in back to back years the "new" image of the NBA (Dwayne Wade and King James) are in the finals? Who made the most money from the gambling (I don't know, but I might be finding out if I were the FBI)? You won't find any player or officials name out there probably, but what about their buddies. I mean if I am StarPlayer1 and my best friend John Doe puts down $200000 for my team to lose a series, when we are favored, 3-1, then I am guessing that someone, somewhere has a fix going on. The only reason for legalized gambling is to legitimize the cash, and make sure that the government gets it kickback(taxes) out of it.

I have no idea if the officials, or league is corrupt -- to me doesn't matter even a little bit. I watch for entertainment, and don't get too worked up over any of it. I do know that there is lots going on that the masses don't know about. I do know that human nature is greedy. I do know that most don't really want to know the Truth, even when it is presented to them.

Either way, the Black Eye that the NBA receives from this might be worse than imagined, or it could just be swept under the rug. You never know how these things will play out because you never really know the whole story.

[thereaper]

"The official, whose name was withheld, allegedly wagered on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA seasons."

I swear to God, if it IS Bennet Salvatore, I'm going to seriously go apeshit.

[dude1394]

It would sure make some jaws drop wouldn't it.

[DLord]

Cuban (per the ticket): I can't comment, but you know what I think on this.

NBA's response: “We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time.”

[MavsX]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines


FBI probes allegations NBA ref bet on games he worked

ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 20, 2007, 10:54 AM ET

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NEW YORK -- The FBI is investigating allegations that a veteran NBA referee bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including ones in which he officiated.

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether the referee made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

The investigation first was reported Friday by the New York Post.

The law enforcement official, who spoke to the AP on Friday on condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges. The official, who did not identify the referee, is familiar with the investigation but was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The law enforcement official said the bets involved thousands of dollars and were made on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

In a statement issued Friday, the NBA said: "We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time."

The probe, which began recently, also involves allegations that the referee had connections to organized crime associates. Other arrests are expected, the official said.

The referee had a gambling problem, according to the official, and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance.

"These accusations, if true, are extremely serious and we have been in discussions with the NBA regarding this matter," Lamell McMorris, head of the NBA Referees Association, told Bloomberg News. "In light of the fact that this is an ongoing federal criminal investigation, we have nothing further to say at this time."

[mffl03]

Look at the main picture on the NYPost.com Story....

06 Finals....

You can clearly see the Heat Logo....

I think Cuban knows this league and product is sour....

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Please don't drag 06 Finals talk into this.

Good lord, we sound like a pathetic group of fans when the officiating in that series comes up.

Dude there is no doubt there were some of the worst calls ever made in the latter part of the series. We all saw it and we complained but everyone else convinced us we're wrong and just being whiny Mavs fans, so we started to believe it ourselves. Now there's an F.B.I. investigation into the refs around that time period. And as just mentioned above the picture shows that series right on the NYPost main page.

Now I'm not saying this is 100% proof but I think it's a worthy discussion. There's alot of smoke here at least.

Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in just because you're afraid of redicule.

After the game, Riley commented that he had packed one suit, one shirt and one tie for the trip to Dallas, what he brought back to Miami was one championship, fulfilling a vision he spoke about when arriving in Miami in 1995.

That's a great story, but what if the Heat lost game 6? He wears a wrinkled suit to game 7? There's something more to this. Focus your brain and don't let it stray all of this is adding up to alot.

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs

Dude there is no doubt there were some of the worst calls ever made in the latter part of the series. We all saw it and we complained but everyone else convinced us we're wrong and just being whiny Mavs fans, so we started to believe it ourselves. Now there's an F.B.I. investigation into the refs around that time period. And as just mentioned above the picture shows that series right on the NYPost main page.

Now I'm not saying this is 100% proof but I think it's a worthy discussion.

Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in just because you're afraid of redicule.

You're right. I apologize. Discuss on.

I can only speak for myself, and for me, I think we lost that series because we're a bunch of bloody chokers, and for only that reason.

[dalmations202]

It may not have been a duck: but I know it looked like a duck, waddled like a duck, and quacked like a duck.

[bobatundi]

Originally Posted by dalmations202

Big picture wise, and from a business standpoint, much of this makes sense -- including the gambling by officials. If you think that some of the players haven't tanked games over the years for $$$$$ then you are way to optimistic - that is one of the reasons why the players are paid so well. If you think that certain markets aren't given a slight edge sometimes in order to keep the numbers up -- then you haven't been watching.

The players are paid so well because the league makes a lot of money and they've collectively negotiated that a percentage of that revenue goes to players. The league makes that money through ticket sales, TV contracts, merchandise sales, etc. They're not paying players millions of dollars a year so they won't tank games, that's absurd.

[DubOverdose]

Funny how I'm not surprised at all.

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

You're right. I apologize. Discuss on.

I can only speak for myself, and for me, I think we lost that series because we're a bunch of bloody chokers, and for only that reason.

boo this man! and his lame signature!

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

You're right. I apologize. Discuss on.

I can only speak for myself, and for me, I think we lost that series because we're a bunch of bloody chokers, and for only that reason.

Dirk's two clutch plays at the end of regulation and OT of Game 5 were far more impressive than anything Wade did in that series.

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by bobatundi

The players are paid so well because the league makes a lot of money and they've collectively negotiated that a percentage of that revenue goes to players. The league makes that money through ticket sales, TV contracts, merchandise sales, etc. They're not paying players millions of dollars a year so they won't tank games, that's absurd.

They are paid so well because they are big business and massive amounts of $$$$$ change hands.

Tanking games is just one of the possibilities that a player could do. If you pay well enough, then people don't talk. If you pay well enough, then people do lots of things. $$$$ still controls the world.

Think a player wouldn't bet on games, and tank games if he thought he could get a few more $$$ out of it, especially in places like college where they are supposedly not payed and don't have the big contracts.

Players aren't as stupid as most people make them out to be. They don't bite the hand that feeds them. Why do you think you hear so much about college athletes? It is much more obvious when a player without a job drives up in a $100,000 vehicle that something is amiss. When a paid professional does this, we don't think anything of it because they make millions anyway.

Take away gambling from sports, and you take away M$ of dollars from the revenue stream -- not that you could stop it anyway.

[foglemann]

Oh my GOD!!
Chris Arnold says.


This is major, if true.

I will riot if it is Salvitore.

[nah-vit-ski]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Dirk's two clutch plays at the end of regulation and OT of Game 5 were far more impressive than anything Wade did in that series.

You mean any thing Wade did clutch-wise?

[MavsX]

Originally Posted by foglemann

Oh my GOD!!
Chris Arnold says.


This is major, if true.

I will riot if it is Salvitore.

who is chris arnold?

[Stranger]

Questionable calls

By Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
July 20, 2007





LAS VEGAS – The nightmare has forever lurked in the reaches of commissioner David Stern's mind, because NBA officials can control a basketball game with calls made and unmade with the subtlest of touches. These referees are human and flawed and can get deep into gambling debt, get addicted, like everyone else in this culture.

And, of course, what the NBA official wields is the most dangerous weapon of all: a twisted whistle.

As the sun rose on the Strip in Vegas, where the best players in the world had gathered for a Team USA minicamp, the doomsday scenario of fixed games hung over the league like an anvil. The FBI has been conducting an investigation into a referee betting on games that he officiated, and perhaps, making calls to control the point spread, the New York Post reported Friday morning.

In a statement, the NBA said, "We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time."

The official had a gambling problem, a source told the Associated Press, and had been approached by lower level mob associates to work with them. Apparently, there were tens of thousands of dollars in bets on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

It's bad enough that this official allegedly could've controlled games in the regular season, but did point spreads and playoff games get decided by a dirty official?

Did a degenerate ref and mobsters play a part in determining a champion?

All Stern can do is bite his lip and take those charges, because everything about the NBA has been thrown into question. For now, uncomfortable questions hang over the league, and each promises to erode its credibility. Until the official is brought on charges, which could happen within the next week, the AP reported, every suspect call a league official has made over the past two seasons comes under scrutiny.

Ten years ago, several NBA officials were indicted for tax evasion over a travel scheme involving airplane tickets. Some of those officials were let back into the NBA, but this is different. This cuts to the core of the NBA's credibility, and perhaps no league has had to spend more time convincing people that conspiracy theories on officiating were unfounded. For the longest time, there was a belief that referees colluded to protect superstars and glamour teams, that they somehow carried out orders and agendas from beyond the court.

Now, the league can't just haughtily dismiss those charges because there could be something worse than anyone ever imagined: mob-controlled referees. Sooner than later, the charges will start to trickle out, possibly with the unseemly details of a referee caught up in the commissioner's worst nightmare. There have been some scandals through the years in the league, but nothing like this. Nothing close. Sooner than later, all hell is going to break loose. The NBA will never be the same again.


Adrian Wojnarowski is the national NBA columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Send Adrian a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Link

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Well I don't think anyone's doubting this years Spurs sweep. Even if the refs were trying to screw the Spurs to make Lebron a star it obviously didn't work.

Or maybe they screwed the Cavs and the Spurs were getting favorable calls since Spurs = ratings.

[DOMINATOR]

bennett salvatore. go ahead and talk about you guys being jobbed but admit some choke

[DelNegro]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2943095

NBA referee Tim Donaghy is under investigation by the FBI for allegations that he bet on games that he officiated over the past two seasons and that he made calls affecting the point spread in games, multiple sources told ESPN.

Donaghy, a 13-year veteran of the league, is aware of the investigation and resigned from the NBA recently.

The NBA issued a brief statement Friday, saying: "We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time."


Closer look: Tim Donaghy

Age: 40
NBA experience: 13 years
High school: Cardinal O'Hara (Springfield, Pa.; one of four NBA refs to attend O'Hara)
College: Villanova, 1989
Of note: In his first dozen seasons as an NBA referee, worked 704 regular-season games and 15 playoffs ... Also has seven years of CBA officiating experience ... Played varsity baseball at Villanova ... Participated in the NBA Read to Achieve program.


-- Source: NBA officials media guide

According to a law enforcement official, authorities are examining whether Donaghy -- whose identity was not revealed until Friday afternoon -- made calls to affect the point spread in games on which he or associates had wagered.

The law enforcement official, who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity, said the referee was aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges. The official, who did not identify the referee, is familiar with the investigation but was not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation.

The investigation first was reported Friday by the New York Post.

The law enforcement official said the bets involved thousands of dollars and were made on games during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

The FBI probe, which began recently, also involves allegations that the referee had connections to organized crime associates. Other arrests are expected, the official said.

The referee had a gambling problem, according to the official, and was approached by low-level mob associates through an acquaintance.

Nevada gambling regulators were not involved in an investigation and had no information about the allegations, said Jerry Markling, enforcement chief for the state Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board.

Jay Kornegay, executive director of the sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton, said he had never seen any unusual activity in NBA betting, and was surprised not to have heard about an investigation until Friday.

"Whispers would have happened on the street, and we would have heard something," Kornegay said. "Any type of suspicious or unusual movements, you usually hear in the industry. We're so regulated and policed, any kind of suspicion would be discussed.

"We haven't seen anything like that in the NBA that I can remember," he said, "and we haven't been contacted by anybody."

Kornegay said legal sports betting in Nevada represents a fraction of sports betting worldwide, with 98.5 percent of all action taken outside the state. Clayton cited a 2005 estimate by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission that found $380 billion is wagered on illegal sports betting, compared with $2.25 billion in legal sports betting in Nevada.

Gambling long has been a problem in sports, and leagues have made a point of educating players of the potential pitfalls. The NBA, for example, discusses gambling at rookie orientation, even bringing in former mobster Michael Franceze to speak.

NBA commissioner David Stern had long objected to putting a team in Las Vegas because it permits betting on basketball, though earlier this year allowed Mayor Oscar Goodman to submit a proposal to owners on how the city would handle wagering on a team if it moved there.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[Stranger]

This was the guy threatened by Rasheed Wallace a few seasons ago. Maybe Sheed was onto something.