Donaghy Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison

Donaghy's former colleagues were relieved to see closure. "Though we believe no sentence would ever be able to repair or justify the damage caused by this criminal and scoundrel, we are glad to finally put this behind us," Lamell McMorris, spokesman for the National Basketball Referees Association, said in a statement. "Tim acted in a completely selfish and unforgivable way, and has forever compromised the way people look at sports and officiating. However, NBA referees will continue to officiate with the highest level of integrity and professionalism."

The NBA expects former prosecutor Lawrence B. Pedowitz to release his findings from an independent investigation into the league's officiating program before the 2008-09 season. Pedowitz, who interviewed all current officials but received no cooperation from Donaghy or his attorney, did not give a specific date. "I am conducting additional interviews and hope to obtain additional information from the government. My review is well-advanced but not complete," Pedowitz said in a statement.

Lauro also said in court that Donaghy gave the government information on other referees, and that "approximately one half of the referees in the NBA engaged in gambling." Pedowitz's investigation supported claims that other officials gambled and forced the NBA to loosen its previous rules banning referees from any form of gambling other than betting on horses in the offseason. Stern, however, was adamant that Donaghy was the only official to bet on NBA games.

The league also restructured its referee operations department. Earlier this month, the NBA hired Ronald B. Johnson, a former Army two-star general with no league ties, as senior vice president for referee operations. It also appointed former referee Bernie Fryer as vice president and director of officials, Joe Borgia as vice president of referee operations and Ronnie Nunn as director of development.

"We anticipate that the judge's sentencing decision, together with the changes we have made to our referee operations staff, will enable us to continue with the improvements we are making to our anti-gambling rules, policies and procedures," Stern said in a statement. "With the conclusion of the government's investigation into this matter, we also look forward to the timely issuance of Larry Pedowitz's review of our officiating program. There is little comfort to be gained from the mandatory prison sentence, especially as it affects Mr. Donaghy's children and their mother, but hopefully the healing process can begin in earnest for all."

Although Stern has repeatedly referred to Donaghy as a "rogue, isolated criminal," Foxsports.com reported two weeks ago that Donaghy called referee Scott Foster at least 134 times between October 2006 and April 2007, the same time period when Donaghy provided inside information to gamblers. The NBA dismissed the report.

Donaghy, Battista and Martino must jointly pay the NBA $217,266 in restitution based on another ruling last week. Donaghy has to turn himself in by Sept. 23 to begin serving his sentence. Lauro asked that Donaghy be sent to a minimum-security federal prison in Pensacola, Fla., so that he can be closer to his family, which lives in Bradenton.

Lee contributed to this report from Washington.