The report has prompted the Big Ten to begin performing background checks on all of its officials.
His Big Ten officiating crew has made some gridiron calls that have stirred controversy, but referee Stephen Pamon is now looking at some larger issues because the Big Ten is looking at him, not for play calling, but for questions raised in a Yahoo! Sports article about Pamon's past.
Pamon has been a Big Ten referee for nearly two decades. His crew officiated Illinois' upset of Ohio State last month. Pamon has had legal issues, both of a civil and criminal nature, that now has the Big Ten taking a second look at him.
Five years ago Pamon and his wife declared bankruptcy with at least $300,000 in liabilities. The Yahoo Sports article quotes a relative as saying that gambling losses contributed to Pamon's financial condition. At least one local casino was among the creditors.
There is no evidence to suggest Pamon gambled on sporting events and there are no current rules prohibiting Big Ten refs from legalized gambling, but because of the article, the Big Ten, in a written statement, says "the conference will begin a review other forms of legalized gambling." And that could bring greater restrictions for referees.
"I think it could easily go to that. I think if you're a Big Ten referee, you are under the kind of scrutiny the rest of us don't face. It involves the integrity of the competition, the very soul of the world of sports.," said Lester Munson, ESPN.
Ten years ago, ABC7 reported that Pamon had been charged with beating his then girlfriend's three sons with an electrical cord. At the time, Pamon worked with a narcotics unit under former Sheriff Mike Sheahan, who was also a long-time Big Ten ref. Pamon was suspended from his job and sentenced to probation.
In 1995, allegations of sexual harassment filed by two co-workers led to Pamon's uncontested discharge as a Chicago Police officer.
While the Big Ten was aware of some of Pamon's past, the article has raised new questions.
"And the fact that they investigated him in2005- - they missed some old movies, some old things that they should have seen," said Munson.
All of the Big Ten's football and basketball officials, including Pamon, underwent third party criminal background checks two years ago.
The Big Ten is looking into the allegations raised by the article on Pamon, and it has already decided that all of its football and basketball officials will undergo criminal background checks every year.
Attempts to reach Pamon were unsuccessful. He is currently a $48,000-a-year civilian employee of the Cook County Sheriff's office.
