In January 2005, Stern said, the NBA investigated a dispute between Donaghy and a West Chester, Pa., neighbor.

The neighbors, Pete and Lisa Mansueto, sued Donaghy for harassment and invasion of privacy, and accused him of vandalizing their property and stalking Lisa Mansueto. In their lawsuit, the Mansuetos also alleged that Donaghy set fire to a tractor they owned and crashed their golf cart from Radley Run Country Club into a ravine.

During the NBA investigation, there were allegations that Donaghy was gambling — not on sports — in Atlantic City. Stern said the league contacted every casino in Atlantic City and Las Vegas and found no evidence of gambling by Donaghy.

NBA referees aren’t even allowed in casinos. Stern said the only betting they can do is at the racetrack in the summer.

Donaghy wasn’t allowed to officiate the second round of the 2005 playoffs because of the incident with the neighbors, Stern said. But after Donaghy moved to Florida, Stern said there were no other complaints or allegations that turned up in any of the NBA’s background checks.

Tuesday, Stern vowed to review the league’s procedures to make sure this wouldn’t happen again, and asked fans to give the NBA the “benefit of the doubt based upon what we have done, what we stand for and what we pledge to continue to do.

“This is something that is the worst that could happen to a professional sports league,” Stern said. “And I want to say on the other hand that we are going to make good on the covenant that we believe we have with our fans, and I pledge that my involvement will be as intense and complete as it can possibly be.”

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