NBA Ref Investigated By FBI For Allegedly Betting On Games

The FBI is “investigating an NBA referee who allegedly was betting on basketball games -- including ones he was officiating during the past two seasons -- as part of an organized-crime probe” in N.Y., according to Murray Weiss of the N.Y. POST.  The investigation, which began more than a year ago, is centering on allegations that the referee was “making calls that affected the point spread to guarantee that he -- and the hoods who had their hooks in him -- cashed in on large bets.”  Sources said that federal agents are “set to arrest the referee and a cadre of mobsters.”  One source added that NBA Commissioner David Stern is “aware of the investigation and has a report about the referee on his desk.”  Weiss notes it was “not determined which games were allegedly affected by the referee’s actions, or how much money may have been won by him and his cohorts” (N.Y. POST, 7/20). A law enforcement official said that the referee was “aware of the investigation and had made arrangements to surrender as early as next week to face charges.” The NBA in a statement said, “We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time” (AP, 7/20). NBRA Exec Dir Lamell McMorris said, “These accusations, if true, are extremely serious and we have been in discussions with the NBA regarding this matter” (BLOOMBERG.com, 7/20).