FBI probing NBA referee suspected of betting on games

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The National Basketball Association said on Friday it is cooperating with an FBI investigation into whether an NBA referee was betting on games he officiated.

The New York Post, citing sources close to the FBI investigation, first reported in Friday's editions that the FBI uncovered the connection between the unnamed referee and organized crime figures during a separate mob investigation.

"We have been asked by the FBI, with whom we are working closely, not to comment on this matter at this time," the NBA said in a statement.

The referee allegedly wagered on games during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA seasons, according to the newspaper.

The FBI organized-crime squad in New York was handling the case, the newspaper said.

Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesmen in New York were not immediately available for comment.