Sports Fixing Prosecutions
1. United States v. Pete Rose (1989 – Ohio)
Facts: Pete Rose, Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader, was accused of betting on baseball games, including those involving his own team, the Cincinnati Reds. While the case primarily concerned gambling rather than explicit match-fixing, authorities investigated whether Rose influenced game outcomes.
Prosecution: Investigated under 18 U.S.C. § 1955 (illegal gambling) and 18 U.S.C. § 201 (bribery of public officials, analogous in sports). The evidence included betting records and interviews.
Outcome: Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from MLB and voluntarily accepted probation for tax-related gambling charges.
Significance: Highlighted the legal and professional consequences of gambling and potential game manipulation in professional sports.
2. United States v. Tim Donaghy (2007 – New Jersey)
Facts: Tim Donaghy, an NBA referee, bet on games he officiated and provided insider information to gamblers. He manipulated point spreads in some games.
Prosecution: Charged with wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371), and transmitting wagering information across state lines (18 U.S.C. § 1084).
Outcome: Donaghy pled guilty and was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, along with supervised release and a fine.
Significance: Established that referees or officials manipulating game outcomes for gambling purposes are subject to federal prosecution.
3. United States v. Jack Molinas (1963 – New York)
Facts: Jack Molinas, a professional basketball player, engaged in point-shaving schemes, accepting bribes to ensure his team lost by specific margins.
Prosecution: Charged with conspiracy to commit sports bribery (18 U.S.C. § 201, analogously applied) and interstate wagering violations.
Outcome: Convicted and sentenced to 10 months in federal prison, along with suspension from professional basketball.
Significance: One of the earliest high-profile federal prosecutions for sports fixing and point shaving.
4. United States v. Anthony Unger (1990 – New York)
Facts: Unger coordinated illegal betting on college basketball and paid players to manipulate game outcomes. Multiple games over a season were affected.
Prosecution: Charged with racketeering (18 U.S.C. § 1961), wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), and sports bribery conspiracy.
Outcome: Unger was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit illicit profits.
Significance: Demonstrated the use of RICO statutes in prosecuting organized sports fixing schemes.
5. United States v. Paul Hornung and Alex Karras (1963 – Illinois)
Facts: NFL players Hornung and Karras were implicated in a betting scandal involving point shaving and gambling on games.
Prosecution: Investigated under interstate wagering laws (18 U.S.C. § 1084) and NFL integrity rules.
Outcome: Both were suspended by the NFL for one season; Hornung avoided prison, while Karras faced probation.
Significance: Illustrated early federal scrutiny of professional sports gambling and fixing, especially regarding player involvement.
6. United States v. Joe Gatti (2000 – Nevada)
Facts: Gatti, a minor league boxing manager, coordinated fights with predetermined outcomes to favor bettors.
Prosecution: Charged with wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) and sports bribery under federal and Nevada state law.
Outcome: Gatti was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison and fined $250,000.
Significance: Showed that manipulating fight outcomes for betting purposes is prosecutable under both federal and state law.
7. United States v. Lee Benson (2015 – New York)
Facts: Benson ran a gambling operation that paid college basketball players to manipulate game outcomes for point spreads.
Prosecution: Charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and illegal sports wagering (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1343, 1084).
Outcome: Benson pled guilty and was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison, along with forfeiture of $1.2 million in illegal profits.
Significance: Reinforced that organized sports fixing rings targeting college athletes are a federal priority.
Key Legal Takeaways
Primary Laws Used:
Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) – for electronic communications in gambling or game manipulation.
Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371) – for coordination among multiple participants.
Illegal Gambling/Wagering (18 U.S.C. § 1084, 1955) – for interstate gambling and sports betting operations.
Racketeering (RICO, 18 U.S.C. § 1961) – for organized sports fixing operations.
Common Methods of Sports Fixing:
Point shaving or intentionally influencing game scores.
Referees or officials manipulating calls.
Paying players or coaches to affect outcomes.
Coordinating illegal betting operations across states.
Typical Penalties:
Federal prison: 1–4 years for most conspiracies; longer for organized rings.
Fines and forfeiture of illicit gains.
Professional suspensions or bans from leagues.
Patterns:
College and professional basketball are most frequently targeted in historical cases.
Referees, officials, and players are all vulnerable to prosecution.
Federal authorities aggressively pursue interstate betting and electronic communications used in sports manipulation.
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