JESS KERSEY FOURTH NBA REF TO BE INDICTED IN TAX PROBE

          Jess Kersey "became the fourth NBA referee to be
     indicted on tax evasion charges for allegedly failing to pay
     income taxes on money he saved by downgrading league-issued
     plane tickets," according to Sonja Barisic of the AP.  A
     federal grand jury indicted Kersey on five charges of tax
     evasion, each carrying a maximum penalty of three years in
     prison and a $250,000 fine.  NBA referees Mike Mathis,
     George Toliver and Hank Armstrong were indicted on "similar
     charges" in February.  NBA Dir of Media Relations Chris
     Brienza said the four refs are still "receiving pay and
     benefits but will not officiate any games pending the
     outcome of the charges."  The U.S. Attorney's office said
     Kersey "allegedly under-reported his income by $100,000 and
     over-reported his expenses by $50,000" on his federal tax
     returns from '90-93 (AP/INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 4/15).