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Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who previously served prison time for fixing NBA games, has been arrested for allegedly wielding a hammer in an incident that led to a felony aggravated assault charge just days before Christmas.
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. Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on July 29, 2008.
ESPN and TMZ.com first reported on last Tuesday's arrest in Bradenton, Florida. The 50-year-old is alleged to have been in search for his 19-year-old daughter and a friend of hers -- mainly because, as the police report says, Donaghy believed his daughter was doing drugs at this friend's home.
Donaghy then found and began arguing with his daughter. At that point the home owner came outside to see what was going on. Donaghy allegedly wielded the hammer and told the man if he came any closer he was going to hit him with it."
Donaghy's attorney told TMZ that the ex-ref did not assault anyone or threaten anyone but was rather "just trying to be a good dad."
He was released on $5,000 bond, per ESPN, and has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Jan. 19.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
