As the Donald Sterling saga enters its next phase which includes the official response/punishment from the NBA, one of the questions I keep being asked about is the lawsuit between Sterling’s wife, Shelly, and Sterling’s mistress, V Stiviano. So here’s the rundown on everything.
On March 7, Sterling’s wife of 57 years, Shelly, filed what I like to call a gold-digger lawsuit against V Stiviano (you can read the PDF here). In the suit, Shelly alleges that Stiviano is a con-woman who tricks older, wealthier men into doing things like buying her gifts.
Shelly Sterling alleges that Donald gave Stiviano at least $2.6 million in gifts. The basis of her argument/suit is that whatever Donald gave to V Stiviano is community property and also belongs to Shelly, therefore Donald did not have a right to give the mistress those things. Shelly is seeking to be repaid, with interest and have her legal fees paid for.
Some people have incorrectly labeled this as Stiviano being accused of “embezzling” money from the Sterlings. That is not the case; she is essentially accusing Stiviano of being a gold digger and is trying to get the gifts back.
So where does this $2.6 million figure come in?
In the suit, Shelly lists the following gifts provided by Donald to Stiviano:
– Bought her a $1.8 million fully remodeled/upgraded duplex close to the Beverly Center (a very nice part of LA)
– 2012 Ferrari
– Two Bentleys (one of which you can see her driving in here)
– 2013 Range Rover
– Upkeep and living expenses of at least $240,000
So that’s $1.8 million for the duplex, at least $240,000 for upkeep and living expenses (or what I’m guessing is sex payments) and around $500,000 for the four cars. Don’t ask me why she needs four, but she got them anyway.
On April 21, V Stiviano’s attorney filed a response to the lawsuit (you can read the PDF here). Stiviano says Shelly was aware that there was a sexual relationship going on between V and Donald and that she is aware of her husband’s philandering ways and has chosen to look the other way for years. Stiviano also emphasizes Donald’s background as a shrewd businessman, which negates the suggestion that Donald was conned by Stiviano.
I really don’t think Shelly Sterling has much legal ground in the matter, and you really have to wonder why such a wealthy family doesn’t just write off that amount as a loss. But by nitpicking and going after the $2.6 million instead of just letting it go, they’re losing much bigger things: their reputation, legacy and potentially the basketball team.
Ever since the audio first dropped on Friday, I shared my opinion of what I think happened. Stiviano and Donald broke up; Shelly filed a gold-digger lawsuit against Stiviano; Stiviano decided she wanted revenge; Stiviano sets up Donald by recording him and pressing his buttons to get the racist response on tape; Stiviano and lawyer file response to complaint; Stiviano and lawyer leak audio recording to TMZ to make Donald look bad; Donald becomes most hated man in America; Donald ends up losing Clippers; Donald’s lifelong legacy and reputation irreparably ruined; Stiviano gets to keep all the gifts.
Being a penny-pinching, cheap and horrible person finally caught up to Donald in about the worst way possible. And he was done in by a person who is almost as dirty as he is. Serves him right.
