If you're an NBA fan, by now you have probably heard the story of former NBA referee Tim Donaghy. Donaghy was sentanced to fifteen months in a federal prison for illegally betting on NBA games. In prison he wrote the book "Personal Foul" and is now considered NBA comissioner David Stern's worst enemy.
Since launching the second edition of his book, published by VTi Media, Donaghy has not received a cent of profit. Shawna Vercher, the owner of VTi Media, has refused to release accounting information to Donaghy regarding sales of the book, according to Donaghy.
In a court complaint sent to the media today the terms agreed upon between Donaghy and VTi Media stated that Donaghy would receive 73% of sales from the book and had the right to view all financial documents. According to Donaghy, VTi Media has violated both of these terms and has now changed the terms agreed on without his permission.
The sixteen page complaint, written by Tampa, Florida lawyer Nicholas Moody, was served to Vercher yesterday. Donaghy is suing for damages in excess of 15,000 dollars..
Here is part of the release sent to us by Donaghy and his lawyer:
Based upon the investigation of this matter, it appears that Ms. Vercher and/or her business entity, The VTi Group, Inc., entered into a scheme to defraud Mr. Donaghy of his money so that Ms. Vercher could satisfy her personal & business debt obligations. Moreover, even after the termination of the business / contractual relationship, Ms. Vercher and/or her business entity, The VTi Group, Inc., engaged in a pattern of activity that was specifically designed to inflict emotional distress, pain and suffering upon Mr. Donaghy in an effort to discredit him so that Ms. Vercher and/or The VTi Group, Inc., could get away with the misappropriation of the money. Mr. Donaghy looks forward to his day in court and getting on with his life … he is the father of four beautiful young girls and, like me and all other fathers, wants nothing more than to provide his girls with everything they need to grow up healthy and happy.
The way I look at it, Vercher seems to be taking advantage of Donaghy's poor reputation. He's an easy target to go after considering the betting scandal he went through in 2008. From Vercher's point of view, it's a lot easier to shoot a bird without wings. As of now, in most people's opinion, Donaghy's wings have yet to grow back.
Written by:
