Gambling NBA ref’s cooperation includes fingering others

The Michael Vick case (latest here and here) is showcasing how federal prosecutors can quickly build pressure on a lead defendant to plead guilty.  Not it appears that the gambling prosecution of former NBA referee Tim Donaghy will provide an example of how defendants eager to make nice with prosecutors will often widen the net of an investigation.  Here’s the latest on the Donaghy case from this Newday article:

The NBA is refusing to comment on a radio report stating that Tim Donaghy has information about the gambling habits of 20 other referees, a development that could widen the scandal and increase the scrutiny of his former colleagues.

John Lauro, Donaghy’s defense attorney, also refused to comment on the report Friday on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York, which stated that Donaghy plans to detail about 20 other referees’ involvement in some form of gambling as part of his agreement to cooperate with federal prosecutors. The type of gambling was not specified, but is believed to include casino gambling….

The NBA presumably has conducted its own investigation of Donaghy’s activities and the possible gambling involvement of anyone else affiliated with the league.  Such an investigation, typically conducted by a law firm, often is the first step when corporations are faced with a “whistleblower” former employee who has accepted a plea agreement from authorities and could assist them by implicating others.

The potential for 20 referees, a third of the league’s officiating staff, being implicated by Donaghy — even in legal gambling activity — only underscores how delicate the NBA’s predicament is as it awaits Donaghy’s sentencing Nov. 9.

And the situation could get even more serious for the league if local prosecutors all over the country attempt to bring charges against Donaghy if he is found to have wagered on games in their jurisdictions. Maricopa County (Ariz.) prosecutor Andrew Thomas has sent a letter to Stern and the FBI stating that he would consider bringing state charges against Donaghy if he wagered on two Phoenix Suns playoff games he officiated this past season.