NBA Commissioner David Stern said Tuesday the federal investigation of referee Tim Donaghy's alleged gambling on games that he worked was the result of a "rogue, isolated criminal."
Donaghy, 40, is being investigated by FBI agents in New York for allegedly gambling and providing inside information to gambling associates on games he refereed, plus other league games.
At a news conference in New York, Stern somberly discussed the scandal that has shaken the league's integrity. The commissioner said he learned of the probe June 20 when the FBI informed the league that it was investigating an NBA referee who reportedly was gambling on games. After learning more, Stern wanted to fire Donaghy but investigators said it would hurt the probe.
"If you bet on a game, you lose the benefit of the doubt," Stern said.
Donaghy, a 13-year veteran referee, resigned from the NBA July 9.
Stern had watched a German soccer officiating scandal, and said he worked diligently to install protections in the NBA that would prevent a scandal such as this.
When Stern learned of the breach, he said, "My reaction was, 'I can't believe it's happening to us.' "
Numerous reports have said Donaghy also provided gambling tips to low-level East Coast mafia figures.
Stern said he has received no information that any other NBA employees were involved in illegal gambling.
Donaghy, who lives in a Bradenton, Fla. golf course community, has not been charged with a crime, although U.S. Attorneys in New York are reportedly preparing to act on information obtained by FBI investigators.
Neither the referee nor his attorney, John Lauro, of Tampa, were available for comment Tuesday. Stern said Lauro "informed us [Donaghy] is contemplating a plea." On Sunday Donaghy received two "life-threatening phone calls," law enforcement authorities in Florida said Monday. In the later call, Donaghy reported the caller told him, "You're done. You're dead."
Stern said federal authorities are investigating Donaghy's gambling activity during the last two seasons, when the referee worked 139 regular-season games and eight playoff contests. Donaghy earned $260,000 in the 2006-07 season, he said.
