Gambling Ref Tim Donaghy to Write Book
Disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy will be publishing his book after all.
Originally Random House was slated to publish the book but the NBA threatened a lawsuit and the publishing house declined the Donaghy deal.
VTi-Group will now put out the Donaghy story entitled "Personal Foul". According to Deadspin.com, the book should be released by Christmas.
On July 20, 2007, columnist Murray Weiss of the New York Post reported of an investigation by the FBI into allegations of an NBA referee betting on games to control the point spread. It was revealed that Donaghy, who has a gambling problem, placed tens of thousands of dollars in bets on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 season and had been approached by low-level mob associates to work on a gambling scheme. Mike Missanelli of The Stephen A. Smith Show suggested that Donaghy had gotten himself into debt and tried to make it up by betting on games.
The report sent shock waves through the NBA. While the league devotes significant resources to monitor officials' performance, it only found out about the affair when the FBI stumbled upon Donaghy in the midst of a broader organized crime investigation.
Donaghy was fined $500,000, and will also have to pay at least $30,000 in restitution. Additionally, he served 15 months in prison.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
