Donaghy Pleads Guilty Free On Bond

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to felony charges of betting on games he officiated and taking cash payoffs from gamblers and is free on $250,000 bond. Donaghy faced U.S. District Court Judge Carol Bagley Amon on Wednesday in a New York courtroom. Judge Amon stated that Donaghy provided inside information to associates about what teams to bet on in phone calls that contained what was termed “coded information.” Two other alleged co-conspirators were in federal custody, according to prosecutors they are James Battista, and Thomas Martino. They are awaiting to face charges of conspiracy and faced a possible twenty years behind bars. Donaghy is relieved to get this part of the process over with according to his attorney, and he is sorry for the pain he has caused to his family and others. Donaghy has already been fined $500,000 and will have to pay the U.S. Government at least $30,000 in restitution as well as facing up to 25 years behind bars. Donaghy told the judge that he is currently taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicine to try to help him quit gambling and is seein a professional. He is scheduled for sentencing November 9.