Former Sacramento Kings chief revenue officer pleads guilty to siphoning $13.4m from team

A former top Sacramento Kings executive pleaded guilty to siphoning $13.4 million from the team to buy California beachfront properties, according to court records.

The records show former chief revenue officer Jeffrey David pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of wire fraud and identity theft. He faces a maximum 10 years in prison when he is sentenced April 15.

David was charged last year with forging the team president’s signature to divert sponsorship payments to a bank account he controlled. Prosecutors say the scheme was uncovered soon after David left the Kings in June and accepted a similar post with the Miami Heat. The Heat said in September that the team and David parted ways.

DONCIC FINED FOR KICK

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic has been fined US$10,000 for kicking the ball into the stands, which led to his ejection from a game against Indiana.

Doncic kicked the ball after a basket by the Pacers late in the third quarter of their 111-99 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night. The NBA announced the fine Tuesday.

The 19-year-old rookie sensation from Slovenia said he didn’t intentionally kick the ball into the stands. The ball ricocheted off the back of the backboard into the first couple of rows of seats. Because Doncic had received a technical earlier in the game, his second technical resulted in the first ejection of his career.

In the next game, Doncic became the second-youngest player to record a triple-double, with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 116-106 loss to the Bucks. He leads the Mavs in scoring at 20 points per game.