What’s at stake in Sterling lawsuit?
Former NBA owner’s wife is suing to recover $2.8 million in gifts to friend V. Stiviano.
A judge will soon decide whether the wife of former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling will recoup millions of dollars in gifts and cash he allegedly gave to his companion V. Stiviano.
Shelly Sterling contends that her husband spent more than $3 million on Stiviano, whom she accuses of being Donald Sterling’s mistress.
Shelly Sterling’s attorneys say her husband used shared assets to pay for the gifts and that she never gave her consent.
Stiviano, 32, and Donald Sterling, 80, deny having a sexual relationship, saying they are just friends.
Stiviano was at the center of last year’s controversy that led to Donald Sterling being stripped of his ownership of the NBA team after she recorded him making racially charged remarks.
Her attorney has asserted that the gifts were made during a time when the Sterlings were separated and that Shelly Sterling and her attorneys have not proved that Donald Sterling was the source of some of the gifts.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge will decide whether Stiviano will have to return the gifts.
In all, Shelly claims her husband gave Stiviano about $3.6 million in gifts since 2010.
She has asked a judge to order Stiviano to repay $2.8 million.
Here is a sample of the gifts in dispute:
$1.8 million
Spanish-style duplex
$1.2 million
Cash (total)
$400,000
Ferrari, two Bentleys and Range Rover
$5,333
Cartier love bracelet
$391
Easter bunny costume
$354
Birthday cake
$12
Lacy thong
$1
Donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as part of a purchase at a CVS store