Lawsuit Claims Shaq Ordered Multiple Murders
CBSsports.com
Royce Young
Fresh off a story claiming that Shaquille O'Neal is caught up in some strange kidnapping/sex tape thing, here comes another doozy from TMZ. The website has obtained a lawsuit filed against Shaq on Friday that -- get ready for this -- alleges that the big man "requested and directed" multiple murders on a gang members, a record producer and a woman he got pregnant.
And even put out an order for someone to break an NBA players' shooting arm. You immediately thought about Carlos Boozer and his mysterious gym bag, didn't you?
This is super delicate, obviously, so I'm just going to let TMZ tell you the weird details.
Shaq's former pal Robert Ross -- an ex-gang member -- is suing O'Neal for allegedly masterminding a plot to have him kidnapped by other gang members back in 2008. In the documents, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Ross claims O'Neal organized and funded a series of murders and brutal attacks on people who did him wrong.
In the suit, Ross alleges, "For many years O'Neal requested and directed [Ross] to perform many personal favors and directed him to perform various tasks including, but not limited to: ordering [Ross] to kill a member of the Downtown Gangster Crips who had disrespected O'Neal in front of his wife Shaunie."
O'Neal is also accused of issuing "an order to kill a woman whom O'Neal had impregnated and paid for her abortion" and "an order to kill a renown record producer." Ross also alleges that O'Neal issued "an order to break an NBA player's shooting arm." Ross -- who never says whether the alleged hits were carried out -- is suing for unspecified damages.
Shaq's representation is naturally refuting the suit as Michael J. Kump, Shaq's lawyer, told TMZ, "The outlandish claims by Robert Ross in his civil complaint are pure fiction. Shaquille O'Neal befriended Mr. Ross in an attempt to help turn his life around. Sadly, Mr. Ross abused that friendship again and again. Shaquille's commitment to law enforcement is well-known and documented. He will not dignify these defamanatory allegations with a response."
It definitely sounds like a pathetic attempt at a cash grab on Shaq. Because the whole story certainly doesn't lean on the side of believability. I'm sure "friends" have tried this same type of manuever a bunch against famous athletes and celebs.
But there you have it. Some guy filed a civil suit alleging Shaq is a murderer. And in in a metaphorical sense as in "he totally murdered Chris Dudley on this play." Definitely didn't see this one coming.
