Former Clippers owner Donald Sterling has filed a lawsuit against TMZ and his former friend(?), Vivian Stiviano, over those tapes that were leaked last year in which Sterling made racially charged statements.
In the lawsuit Sterling claims he was not aware that Stiviano was recording him – which was a violation of his privacy. He also claims the tapes were doctored.
Via LA Times:
On the recordings, which were published by TMZ on April 25, 2014, Sterling scolds Stiviano for associating with African Americans in public and warned her not to attend Clippers games with black people.
The lawsuit alleges that Stiviano or TMZ doctored the tapes to “reflect conversations … that either never occurred, were grossly distorted and/or stated out of context.”
Stiviano’s attorney claims she had nothing to do with TMZ obtaining the tapes and that Sterling was well aware that she was recording him. In Sterling’s lawsuit, he calls Stiviano a “former friend”.
The recordings release eventually led to the NBA fining Sterling and forcing him to sell The Clippers to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.
