From the archives: How Tim Donaghy, an ex-ref, conspired to fix NBA basketball games
ACT 1 - A CONVENIENT HALLF-TRUTH
James "Jimmy", also known as "BahBah" or "The Sheep", was 41-years-old and a stressed out, overweight, Oxy-addicted individual. He settled down to watch an NBA basketball game, believing he had just completed the fix. It was January 2007. It was January 2007. Now, he was afraid that the scheme would be too obvious.
"You want to be paid?" Battista had stated to the ref. "Then, you gotta cover f---ing spreading." The bribe cost just two dimes and was worth $2,000 per match -- an incredible bargain. The pick winner would win the ref two dimes. If the pick was lost, the ref would not be liable. Battista will eat the loss. They call it a "free roll." The referee was not able to lose much. His picks were winning at an astounding 88 percent, something that is almost unheard-of in sports betting over any sustained time period. They were now in the sixth week, what you might call an extended period of time.
Battista had known Timmy Donaghy, the ref, for over 25 years. They were both from the same Catholic parish high school, in Delaware County, near Philadelphia.
Battista was a creation of this world. He was known as a movers. The movers are not gamblers or bookmakers. They're a kind of broker who provides services to bettors by placing wagers on their behalf with various bookmakers in the world. Battista was in a good position within that world. Donaghy did not know, but Donaghy had picked Donaghy's picks. Donaghy helped to set up a loose, disorderly fund. In effect, several people in the sport-betting world had staked Battista money -- a fund that he was using to wager on NBA games. It was called "the ticket" or "the company" by one member.
"Maybe they never sat at the same table," he said. "But they all had a bite of the pizza." The biggest problem was keeping the pizza covered.
Battista used Tommy Martino as his liaison in the Donaghy scheme. Martino, who was close to the referee since childhood, had a day job at JPMorgan as an IT guy. Donaghy would then call Martino to inform him of his pick in the game he was officiating. Martino would then relay Battista's pick. Battista was never able to speak with Donaghy. Battista would gamble heavily on Donaghy’s selections throughout the day. According to one person who knew their operation, Battista hoped to collect $1 million each time Donaghy played his games.
Battista said to Donaghy, "If you want to get paid, you must cover the spread." Battista did not use the word "fix." Or "influence" or manipulate, or in any other way discuss the mechanics and fixing.
Battista said to friends, "There wasn’t no need." The whole thing was merely insinuated. It was a matter strong innuendo. He held the only mechanics. He had the f---ing whistle. gambling on betting some short selling razor review
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