I wonder how many years these two will end up getting for there part in the crap.
Tim Donaghy's betting buddies try to cop plea
BY JOHN MARZULLI
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, September 13th 2007, 4:00 AM
Two betting buddies of disgraced NBA ref Tim Donaghy are negotiating with the feds to plead guilty to gambling-related charges, according to a document filed in Brooklyn Federal Court.
James (BaaBaa) Battista and Thomas Martino were arrested last month in the scheme to gamble on basketball games with inside information passed to them by Donaghy. But the new document puts an expected indictment on hold while defense lawyers "are engaged in plea negotiations which they believe are likely to result in a disposition of this case without trial."
Yesterday, Battista's lawyer, Jack McMahon, said, "Obviously, I will listen to whatever the government has to offer, and do what is in the best interest of my client."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Goldberg declined to comment. Donaghy, who resigned from the NBA in July, has admitted participating in the sports betting ring and is cooperating with the government.
BY JOHN MARZULLI
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, September 13th 2007, 4:00 AM
Two betting buddies of disgraced NBA ref Tim Donaghy are negotiating with the feds to plead guilty to gambling-related charges, according to a document filed in Brooklyn Federal Court.
James (BaaBaa) Battista and Thomas Martino were arrested last month in the scheme to gamble on basketball games with inside information passed to them by Donaghy. But the new document puts an expected indictment on hold while defense lawyers "are engaged in plea negotiations which they believe are likely to result in a disposition of this case without trial."
Yesterday, Battista's lawyer, Jack McMahon, said, "Obviously, I will listen to whatever the government has to offer, and do what is in the best interest of my client."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Goldberg declined to comment. Donaghy, who resigned from the NBA in July, has admitted participating in the sports betting ring and is cooperating with the government.