Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in prison Tuesday for setting off a gambling scandal that tarnished the reputation of the league and raised questions about the integrity of its officiating.
The sentencing in Brooklyn federal court culminated a case that hung over the league throughout the season and even into the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. League commissioner David Stern angrily denied Donaghy’s claim that corruption among referees goes beyond him.
Donaghy’s lawyer asked the judge for probation. Donaghy had faced up to 33 months in prison, but the judge gave him credit for his cooperation.
