Sentencing for Former NBA Referee Postponed

NEW YORK (AP) - July 9, 2008 U.S. District Judge Carol Amon moved the sentencing, originally scheduled for Monday, to July 29.

The 41-year-old Donaghy pleaded guilty last year to felony charges of taking cash payoffs from gamblers in the 2006-07 season. He faces up to 33 months in prison.

The NBA has claimed Donaghy owes it $1.4 million, including $577,000 of his pay and benefits over four seasons, plus hefty legal fees and other expenses related to an internal investigation. His lawyer has argued that the punishment should apply to only one season - a position supported by the government last week in court papers.

The government papers concluded that Donaghy, professional gambler James Battista and middleman Thomas Martino should collectively pay $233,317 in restitution.

Battista and Martino, who pleaded guilty to defrauding the NBA, are to be sentenced on July 24.

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