Toronto Raptors executive accused of pushing deputy won’t face charges

Confrontation happend after NBA Finals game against Warriors

OAKLAND >> No criminal charges will be filed against Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, who was accused of pushing and striking an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy after Game 6 of the NBA Finals in June, an Alameda District Attorney spokeswoman said Tuesday.

“The District Attorney’s Office has determined that no criminal charges will be filed in the matter,” said spokeswoman Teresa Drenick. “However, Mr. Ujiri attended a meeting with the District Attorney’s Office focused on matters that we believe merited constructive, structured mediation and conflict resolution and were better handled in a setting outside of the courtroom.”

The confrontation happened June 13, moments after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors 114-110 to capture the NBA championship title. Ujiri tried to come on the court for the celebration but, according to the sheriff’s office, did not have the proper credentials. A Warriors fan who said he witnessed the incident disputed that Ujiri struck the deputy.

The case of the alleged shove took months to complete. Oakland police detectives and members of the sheriff’s office sent their investigation to the DA’s office in late July. But prosecutors requested “additional investigation and witness interviews,” a process that lasted until Sept. 1, Drenick said.

“After a through investigation, we are just so happy with the result,” said Annie Beles, attorney for Ujiri.

Ujiri was never arrested but was suspected of misdemeanor battery. The sheriff’s deputy remains on medical leave with a jaw injury and post-concussion syndrome, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly.

“Both Mr. Ujiri and the Sheriff’s Department were made aware of and were in agreement with the decision to handle this matter by way of the meeting, which took place on Monday, October 21, 2019,” Drenick wrote in an email. “I am not able to provide further details regarding specifics of the meeting.”