NBA reportedly accuses Sterling of trying to persuade Stiviano to lie about the infamous recording
The National Basketball Association claims in its formal allegations against Donald Sterling that the Los Angeles Clippers owner and his associates gave false and misleading information to the league’s investigator, according to a published report.
The Los Angeles Times says it obtained the 30-page formal allegation against Sterling. According to the story, the NBA alleges Sterling tried to persuade V. Stiviano to say she had altered the infamous recording of Sterling’s racist comments and that it wasn’t Sterling’s voice on the tape. The New York Times summarizes the newspaper’s report.
L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling. s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
The NBA also claims that a team employee had a copy of the Sterling recording before it was made public, and then-Clippers president Andy Roeser ordered the employee to delete it. Roeser was acting on Sterling’s orders, the NBA alleges.
The NBA also says there is ample evidence that Sterling is not estranged from his wife, Rochelle (also referred to as Shelly), who has said she wants to retain her ownership interest in the team.
Sterling has a May 27 deadline to respond to the allegations. His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment by the Los Angeles Times. An unnamed Sterling associate said the NBA’s claims are a smear.
“The NBA has the recording in full and there has been no destruction or alteration of any evidence,” the associate told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s going to be a non-issue. They are just throwing some mud up against the wall to see what sticks.”
Prior coverage:
ABA Journal: “NBA owner Donald Sterling suspended for life, and experts say his legal options are limited”
