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As part of his probation, gambling ref Tim Donaghy is prohibited from associating with known felons. But that’s exactly what Donaghy was caught doing and now the disgraced ref claims he just didn’t know.
It seems he is not the only one.
The ex-referee has been breaking down games for Allentown, Pennsylvania sports handicapper known as “Danny B” or “Danny Berrelli”, proprietor of the website www.sportsconnectionwins.com.
Berrelli’s real name, it turns out, is Daniel T. Biancullo, a North Jersey native with a 2004 federal conviction stemming from his role in a Florida sports-gambling operation that counted former Flyers star Jeremy Roenick among its clients, according to William Bender of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Donaghy said he had no idea and pretty much shrugged off the controversy.
"As long as it wasn't molesting kids," Donaghy said. "I'm nobody to judge anyone."
Donaghy's probation officer was apparently under the impression that Biancullo's "stage name" was his real name.
"We are investigating the true identity of Danny Berrelli," said Steve Beasely, Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer for the Middle District of Florida, said Monday. "We were not aware that Danny Berrelli had any other name."
Bender notes that Biancullo was among a crew of Florida-based sports handicapperswho pleaded guilty in 2004 to federal gambling charges for falsely claiming to have inside information about games and referring callers to offshore casinos in exchange for kickbacks. Probably the last person Donaghy wants to associate himself with.
Donaghy resigned from the league on July 9, 2007 before reports of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for allegations that he bet on games that he officiated during his last two seasons and that he made calls affecting the point spread in those games. On August 15, 2007, Donaghy pleaded guilty to two federal charges related to the investigation. However, he could face more charges at the state level if it is determined that he deliberately miscalled individual games. Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on July 29, 2008.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
