TAXMAN CALLS FOUL ON TWO NBA REFS FOR TAX EVASION

          Two NBA referees, Henry Armstrong and George Toliver,
     were indicted Wednesday by separate federal grand juries on
     tax evasion charges, according to the AP.  Armstrong and
     Toliver "allegedly downgraded first-class airline tickets
     provided for NBA travel to cheaper coach-class tickets,
     pocketed the difference and failed to pay taxes on the
     money."  If convicted, Armstrong faces a maximum of 18 years
     in prison; Toliver faces up to nine.  The AP notes that
     "both men were relieved of their officiating duties as a
     result of the indictments" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/13).  NBA
     Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said in a statement the NBA
     and the referees "have agreed that they will not be assigned
     to officiate while the charges are pending.  We will
     continue to pay them their salaries and benefits" (NBA).