http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/sports_breaking/20080610_Donaghy_gave_Feds_more_info__attorney_says.html

By Frank Fitzpatrick

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Tim Donaghy's lawyer said today that the letter the government filed last week outlining his client's cooperation failed to note details of what Donaghy told prosecutors about questionable behavior by other NBA referees.

Attorney John Lauro, seeking to reduce the mandatory sentence Donaghy faces when sentenced on July 14, submitted the new information in a supplemental letter to U.S. District Court Judge Carol Amon.

Lauro's letter provided a list of alleged "improper interactions and relationships" between referees and league players, coaches and officials, though none are identified. He said some NBA referees socialized with, sought autographs from and played tennis with players, coaches and executives, all in violation of league policies.

According to Lauro, Donaghy also told the FBI about colleagues who flaunted another NBA guidelines by wagering in casinos and on other sporting events.

An NBA spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Donaghy offered the information, Lauro said, in a Sept. 6, 2007, meeting with FBI officials in Tampa and in a 2008 report that he did at the government's request.

The letter indicated that Donaghy had heard from another referee that a third official had promised a general manager/friend that his calls would go against the opponents of that GM's team in a 2004 game.

That referee, Donaghy told the FBI, called 25 fouls on that opposing team, "far fewer" than on the GM's club.

According to Lauro, Donaghy also informed investigators that NBA executives advised referees not to call technical fouls on or eject star players, fearing that would damage the league's image.

Donaghy, Lauro added, also pointed out flaws with the NBA's observer system, in which league officials rate a referee's performance anonymously from the stands.

He said officials often knew when they were being observed and by whom, citing one instance when an observer approached the referees before a game and asked them to buy a copy of his new book.

The disgraced referee was fired last year after 13 seasons when he admitted providing inside information to friends who bet on NBA games, including some game that Donaghy worked. He faces up to 25 years in prison on gambling and wire-fraud charges.

Donaghy also suggested NBA executives manipulated games by urging referees to watch certain players more closely, listing an example from the 2005 playoffs.

After complaints about a player from one team's officials, he said, the league instructed the referees to crack down on that player.