SPORTS

NBA referee sentenced in tax case One of four NBA referees convicted in an airline ticket scamreceived three years of probation for tax evasion after a judgegranted prosecutors' request for a reduced sentence. "We have here,I think, a Greek tragedy," assistant U.S. attorney Jim Metcalfe saidThursday in Norfolk, Va. Hank Armstrong, an NBA official for nineyears, was a respected community member "struck low by his ownmomentary greed," Metcalfe said. Armstrong admitted he swappedfirst-class airline tickets supplied by the NBA for cheaper ticketsand pocketed the difference. He did not report on his taxes $160,464in income from downgrading the tickets from 1989 through 1994,prosecutors said. But Armstrong took responsibility for his actions,and his cooperation with authorities helped convict at least oneother NBA referee, Mike Mathis of suburban Cincinnati, Metcalfe said.No more charges for Michigan St. playerMichigan State basketball player Mateen Cleaves will not be chargedwith additional crimes in connection with a late-night dispute at anapartment complex. Cleaves, 20, was charged Feb. 18 with being aminor in possession of alcohol, refusing to take a preliminary breathtest to check his blood-alcohol level and a seat belt violation. Thecharges stemmed from an incident early Feb. 18, when police werecalled to investigate a disturbance at an apartment complex.According to a police report released Wednesday, a woman told policethat Cleaves threw her against a wall by holding her arms and wasverbally abusive, the Lansing State Journal reported Friday. Cleavesalso was accused of kicking the woman's door. Police said the womantold them she didn't want to press charges, and the report shows thatofficers didn't consider the incident an assault.Raptors suspend Miller for 1 gameOliver Miller was suspended for one game without pay by the TorontoRaptors today for "conduct detrimental to the team." "It was a wholebunch of things," said coach Butch Carter. Sitting out Fridaynight's game against the Wizards in Washington will cost Miller about$20,000 in lost salary.Ruddock acquitted in diamond disputeHeavyweight boxer Razor Ruddock was acquitted of charges he stole a$5,000 diamond ring from his ex-girlfriend by ripping it off herfinger. Following a three-day trial, the jury took less than an hourThursday to find Ruddock not guilty of charges he robbed AlexandraWilliams at his home two years ago. Ruddock said he simply took backwhat belonged to him. "Razor felt all along that this was a boguscharge," said David Coven, the boxer's lawyer. Ruddock was in jailfor more than a day because of the charges. Williams, who used tolive with Ruddock and had a child with him, said the boxer came upbehind her, threw her down and ripped the ring off her finger. Shesaid the robbery happened when she went to his home to get clothesfor their child. Ruddock's lawyer disputed her account. "She camein his house and took the ring from his jewelry box," Coven said.