V. Stiviano Testifies She, Donald Sterling Were Never 'Intimate'
LOS ANGLELES (CBSLA.com) — The woman whose actions helped precipitate the forced sale of the Los Angeles Clippers last year took the stand Thursday in Shelly Sterling's suit that seeks the return of millions of dollars in gifts.
V. Stiviano testified that she and Shelly Sterling's husband, Donald Sterling, " have never been intimate," but they are deeply in love with each other, it's painful to be apart, and, she said, Sterling wanted to secretly marry her last year.
The Sterlings, who have been married for 60 years, were forced to sell the NBA team in 2014 as part of the fallout from recordings Stiviano made of conversations with Donald Sterling
KCAL9's Dave Lopez reported that, according to testimony on Thursday, Stiviano had 18 different bank accounts, all funded by Donald Sterling, who also gave her a duplex near Beverly Hills, fancy cars, a Paris shopping spree and $1.25 million. Shelly Sterling is seeking more than $3 million from Siviano.
"The purpose (of the lawsuit) is that she is representing her family and all women," said Shelly Sterling's attorney, Pierce O'Donnell. "A spouse just can't give away the family assets. And I think the rich and the poor are entitled to justice."
During her appearance on the stand Thursday, Stiviano testified that the relationship was not about money.
"We are soul mates, we are meant to be with each other," she said.
When reminded that Donald Sterling called her a "former friend" on the stand on Wednesday, Stiviano responded, "I know. He must be under the spell of the Wicked Witch of the West," referring to Shelly Sterling.
Stiviano will return to the stand on Friday.
