The New York Post has revealed that Pennsylvania friends of disgraced former NBA ref Tim Donaghy and his pal, reputed bookie James Battista, have begun testifying before a federal grand jury in Brooklyn.
Graffiti Wall Rumor Monger reports that many believe that Donaghy will cut a deal with the Feds and blow the whistle on his mob cronies.
The ex-referee spent the weekend holed up in his Bradenton, Fla., home, enjoying pizza last night with friends.
One buddy, Vito Bavaro, said Donaghy was awaiting a call from the feds ordering him to New York.
His friends gave no hint as to whether Donaghy would own up to allegedly betting on games he worked and providing information to the mob.
“He’s not talking about it,” Bavaro said. “He’s in a tough spot.”
The investigation, which began more than a year ago, is zeroing in on blockbuster allegations that the referee was making calls that affected the point spread to guarantee that he — and the hoods who had their hooks in him — cashed in on large bets.
