INQUIRER Sports

NEW YORK -- A review of National Basketball Association officiating released Thursday found no evidence of widespread misconduct, but nevertheless called for changes to preserve the integrity of the game.

Former federal prosecutor Lawrence Pedowitz conducted the review over a 14-month period, and his 116-page report said he found no evidence of illegal activity by any other referee than Tim Donaghy.

Donaghy currently is serving a 15-month prison sentence for a gambling scandal that tarnished the league.

Donaghy was charged with betting on games he officiated and providing inside information to gambling associates.

Donaghy had alleged there was misconduct by other referees and league personnel regarding favoritism of certain players and teams.

However, Pedowitz's report disputed that claim, while warning that "because the potential for referee bias remains a threat to the integrity of the game, the league can do more."

"We welcome the recommendations from Mr. Pedowitz in areas where we can improve - all of which will be adopted, and many of which have already been adopted, including the hiring of Army Major General (Retired) Ronald L. Johnson as the Senior Vice President, Referee Operations," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement.

Pedowitz recommended strengthening the NBA's anti-gambling rules, particularly with respect to the disclosure of confidential information.

The report called for better enforcement of anti-gambling rules and creating a "culture of compliance" among all league and team employees, including through the reorganization of the management of the referee program and the creation of an anonymous hotline for gambling information.

Pedowitz said the NBA should increase the monitoring of games for suspicious activity, and increase efforts to eliminate the perception of referee bias by making more information publicly available about the referee program and increasing access to the referees by fans and the media.

Pediwitz found that referees did break NBA rules involving casino gambling, although none of the activities reached a criminal level.

Stern had already decided not to discipline referees for those violations.

During the course of the review, Pedowitz's firm conducted more than 200 interviews with referees, teams and other league personnel.

"These measures are a beginning, not an end. We know that the NBA's success hinges on the integrity of our sport and on competition that allows teams to win based on their own skill and performance.

"We expect nothing less from our referees than the highest level of accuracy, professionalism and integrity."

In addition to the hiring of Johnson, the NBA has already made longtime referee Bernie Fryer became director of officials, and Joe Borgia was appointed vice president of referee operations.