V. Stiviano Texted Sterling's Racist Rant To Clippers Employee, LA Times Reports
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Times Thursday has revealed specifics about V. Stiviano's deteriorating relationship with banned Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
According to the Times, the fallout began in March when Sterling's wife, Shelly, filed a lawsuit claiming Stiviano had extracted $240,000 in cash, four cars and a house worth $1.8 million from Sterling.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Donald Sterling Scandal
The following month, Sterling told an undisclosed Clippers employee to text Stiviano that her VIP tickets and parking pass had been sold.
Stiviano texted back that she got the tickets from someone else.
The Times said the employee texted back, writing, "Mr. Sterling said to let me know if you need anything. We don't want to have any issues at the game."
Stiviano responded, "No tell Mr. Sterling that I don't need anything nor do I want anything…But thanks for asking. LET THE GAMES BEGAN. . . ."
The Times claims Stiviano then sent the employee an audio file with Sterling's racist remarks, including comments he made about Magic Johnson.
Two weeks later, TMZ published the recordings.
Stiviano, meantime, said she gave the audio file to some friends for "safekeeping" after she was served the lawsuit by Shelly Sterling, according to the Times.
CBS2/KCAL9 asked legal analyst Steve Meister if the revelations could change Sterling's chances at being able to keep the Clippers.
"I don't think this will make one shred of difference to the NBA," Meister said. "The tapes speak for themselves, and that's what the case is about."
NBA owners will meet June 3 in New York to vote on whether Sterling should be forced to sell the Clippers.
Stiviano's lawyer did not return a request for comment.