Convicted former NBA referee Tim Donaghy today was denied permission to continue working as a paid talk radio commentator alongside another man who has several felony arrests in his own past.
Brooklyn federal Judge Carol Amon today ruled that Donaghy cannot receive paychecks as a radio personality on “The Sports Connection” and must cut his professional ties with the Philadelphia-based show and its host, Danny Berrelli.
In her written decision, the judge noted that last month an investigation by federal probation officers revealed that Berrelli is actually Daniel Thomas Biancullo — an ex-con with prior arrests for felony interstate gambling in Florida and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in New Jersey, court records show.
The judge said she agreed with probation officers that Donaghy’s continued association with the Philadephia talk radio host “would constitute an impermissible form of contact with a convicted felon” that violates the rules of his probation.
The judge also today shot down Donaghy’s request to terminate his probation early.
Donaghy has asked the judge cut him loose early from probation after being under supervision for 33 of the 36 months required.
He argued that being on probation hurt his chances to find better employment, but the judge today said that Donaghy had not proven how it puts him at a disadvantage.
Donaghy was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison on federal wire fraud and gambling charges after The Post revealed he was betting on NBA games. He served 11 months before he was released in November 2009.
His probation is scheduled now to end on Nov. 3.