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FBI Investigates NBA Gambling Case

Last updated on Monday, July 23, 2007

(UNDATED) - The FBI is investigating allegations that a veteran NBA referee bet on basketball games over the past two seasons, including ones he officiated.

The referee in question reportedly does know about the investigation by the FBI and is expected to turn himself into officials next week.

In the meantime, the NBA is facing another black eye, in terms of public relations. Bob Lovell is the host of "Network Indiana Sports Talk." Lovell says this is a nightmare for the NBA since, if the allegations turn out to be true, it calls into question the fairness of the game.

Law enforcement officials say the bets involved thousands of dollars and the referee, ided by ESPN as Tim Donaghy, would make calls to affect the points spread so that he and others with mob ties could cash in on large bets.

Donaghy was part of the officiating crew at the 2004 brawl between the Pacers and Pistons in Detroit. That crew was criticized at the time for allowing the situation to escalate as it did.

Lovell says the league now will have to do something "drastic" to show fans that the games are played fairly.

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