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Referees accused of fixing NBA series

NEW YORK, June 11 (UPI) -- A former NBA referee says in a letter filed in a New York court that Game 6 of a 2002 playoffs series was fixed to ensure a seventh game.

Tim Donaghy, who has admitted to gambling on games, does not specify the teams or the referees in the letter, but the Los Angeles Lakers-Kings series was only one to go to seven games in 2002, The Sacramento Bee reported Wednesday.

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Donaghy calls two of the game's three referees "company men" and alleges they used "manipulation" to extend the series to a deciding seventh game.

The letter claims the two heavily favored one of the teams, ignoring blatant fouls committed by its players.

The referees' actions allowed the favored team to come from behind and win the series, the letter says.

The letter, filed in federal court in Brooklyn by his attorney, attempts to show Donaghy's level of cooperation in hopes of receiving a lighter jail term.

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