Second Guilty Plea In NBA Betting Scandal
April 17, 2008
A high school friend of the former NBA referee who admitted to tipping off gamblers betting on games in which he officiated pleaded guilty on Wednesday to his role in the scheme.
Thomas Martino, 42, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a scheme to deprive the NBA of referee Tim Donaghy's honest services, said Robert Nardoza, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn.
Donaghy's case created a scandal last year when it disclosed he admitted to passing along to gamblers inside information, such as the physical condition of certain players and which referees would officiate upcoming games.
He pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud conspiracy to defraud the NBA and to transmitting gambling information across state lines.
A third co-defendant and high school friend of the other two, professional gambler James Battista, is due in court on Monday at which time he is expected to plead guilty.
Martino faces 12 to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced on July 11, Nardoza said.
Donaghy, 40, faces a maximum prison sentence of 25 years when he is sentenced on May 22 but could get less time in a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors allege he received up to $5,000 for each prediction that turned out to be correct and that he accepted money at least three times.
-- Reuters
April 17, 2008
A high school friend of the former NBA referee who admitted to tipping off gamblers betting on games in which he officiated pleaded guilty on Wednesday to his role in the scheme.
Thomas Martino, 42, admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a scheme to deprive the NBA of referee Tim Donaghy's honest services, said Robert Nardoza, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn.
Donaghy's case created a scandal last year when it disclosed he admitted to passing along to gamblers inside information, such as the physical condition of certain players and which referees would officiate upcoming games.
He pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud conspiracy to defraud the NBA and to transmitting gambling information across state lines.
A third co-defendant and high school friend of the other two, professional gambler James Battista, is due in court on Monday at which time he is expected to plead guilty.
Martino faces 12 to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced on July 11, Nardoza said.
Donaghy, 40, faces a maximum prison sentence of 25 years when he is sentenced on May 22 but could get less time in a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors allege he received up to $5,000 for each prediction that turned out to be correct and that he accepted money at least three times.
-- Reuters
