FBI Probes Gambling Ref

Mafia-connected NBA official rigged games and earned big bucks over two seasons
By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 20, 2007 8:00 PM CDT
FBI Probes Gambling Ref
The referee under investigation allegedly bet on games in which he could steer the outcome.   (Shutterstock.com)

The FBI is investigating an NBA referee accused of manipulating point spreads in games he officiated as part of a wider mob-orchestrated gambling ring, the New York Post reports. The official allegedly both reffed and placed bets on numerous games from 2005 to 2007 in a desperate attempt to pay back gambling debts.

NBA Commissioner David Stern released a statement today: "We would like to assure our fans that no amount of effort, time or personnel is being spared to assist in this investigation, to bring to justice an individual who has betrayed the most sacred trust in professional sports, and to take the necessary steps to protect against this ever happening again." (More basketball stories.)

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