The NBA has disciplined six referees for violating its
anti-gambling rules, according to the New York Daily News
published on Sunday.
Sources told the New York city's hometown newspaper that the six
officials, whose names have not been identified, were found in
violation of the league's anti-gambling policy for such infractions
as going to casinos.
The information came to light as a result of the NBA's
investigation into its officials after the Donaghy scandal broke
this July. But the sources said these new infractions were in no
way close to what Donaghy did.
"Nobody's getting suspended," the source told the paper. "They
were reprimanded and punished, but nobody lost their job."
"There were some violations," Stern told the New York Daily
News, referring to the six officials. "But they are not
hanging crimes."
On July 24, Stern blamed a "rogue, isolated criminal" for the
Donaghy scandal.
The 40-year-old veteran official Tim Donaghy, who pleaded guilty
to two felony charges after admitting to betting on games he
officiated, will be sentenced on Jan. 25. He faces a maximum of 25
years in prison while also must pay a $500,000 fine.
(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2007)