Donaghy pleads guilty

[Adam]

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

Didn't see a thread yet on this, so....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2975532

Interesting that he isn't pleading guilty to actually fixing games in any way shape or form. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud? Must be for the way he took his payments and made bets or something. That one makes me curious. The other charge is for giving information out, not for fixing games. I wonder if we'll ever get answers to whether and how he may have affected point spreads or over/unders.

[Nevadaref]

Three things:
1. These are FEDERAL charges, so the government's authority comes under the interstate commerce clause. Hence, you see charges such as wire fraud and transmitting across state lines.

2. The federal prosecutors charge people with what they can PROVE, not necessarily with what they may also be guilty of doing. When they have something clear cut which is going to put someone away, their attitude is that is good enough. Think back to what they finally pinned on Al Capone--tax evasion.

3. This is a plea BARGAIN. So each side is making some concessions here. In return the government is getting a conviction without much work in court, and the individual (and the NBA) is saving some face by picking to exactly which charges he stipulates. Certain words may sound better or worse.
For example, "fixing games" has a very negative connotation, while "wire fraud" is rather mundane.

[NICK]

I see in the news tonite here in NZ that he could get up to 25 years in jail; is it that serious a charge? cheers!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Three things:
1. These are FEDERAL charges, so the government's authority comes under the interstate commerce clause. Hence, you see charges such as wire fraud and transmitting across state lines.

2. The federal prosecutors charge people with what they can PROVE, not necessarily with what they may also be guilty of doing. When they have something clear cut which is going to put someone away, their attitude is that is good enough. Think back to what they finally pinned on Al Capone--tax evasion.

3. This is a plea BARGAIN. So each side is making some concessions here. In return the government is getting a conviction without much work in court, and the individual (and the NBA) is saving some face by picking to exactly which charges he stipulates. Certain words may sound better or worse.
For example, "fixing games" has a very negative connotation, while "wire fraud" is rather mundane.

I agree with all three counts. My point, however, is that I don't know that the NBA is going to be able to get much closure out of this plea bargain. Neither of the actual charges is nearly as damaging to the NBA as the allegations that have come out in the press, so it seems there will not be any resolution of the questions that actually give the game a head ache.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Three things:
1. These are FEDERAL charges, so the government's authority comes under the interstate commerce clause. Hence, you see charges such as wire fraud and transmitting across state lines.

2. The federal prosecutors charge people with what they can PROVE, not necessarily with what they may also be guilty of doing. When they have something clear cut which is going to put someone away, their attitude is that is good enough. Think back to what they finally pinned on Al Capone--tax evasion.

3. This is a plea BARGAIN. So each side is making some concessions here. In return the government is getting a conviction without much work in court, and the individual (and the NBA) is saving some face by picking to exactly which charges he stipulates. Certain words may sound better or worse.
For example, "fixing games" has a very negative connotation, while "wire fraud" is rather mundane.

For once Georgetown has some good points.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

For once Georgetown has some good points.

Naturally, this is just a theoretical conjecture at this point, and you know that is what we do.

PS I'm going to have to save your post as such a sentiment may never be expressed again.

[jmaellis]

Somebody should keep a list going, then when he is sentenced we can see who is closest.

As for me:

In custody: 18 months

House arrest: 6 months

Probation: 5 years

[Jurassic Referee]

Maybe we should have a poll.

My vote:
- hanging
- followed by 3 years probation.

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Maybe we should have a poll.

My vote:
- hanging
- followed by 3 years probation.

Big smile, thanks