The Clippers’ scandal has the DOJ investigating, and it could get so much worse
It started with yelling about toilets. Steve Ballmer was so serious about turning the Los Angeles Clippers into a serious franchise for the first time in their existence that he wanted to make sure no fan ever waited in a long line to use the bathroom when the team opened its new arena. Ballmer’s drive […]
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently facing serious legal troubles as the Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the team and its owner, Steve Ballmer. According to sources, the investigation began after allegations of salary cap circumvention were made by investigative journalist Pablo Torre, who reported that the Clippers went to extreme lengths to secure free agent Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA responded to these allegations by imposing severe penalties on the Clippers, including stripping them of five future first-round draft picks and suspending several executives, including Ballmer. While the scope of the DOJ's investigation is unclear at this time, the fact that federal authorities are involved suggests that there may be more to this story than simply breaking NBA rules.
The investigation has led to the issuance of subpoenas, and the potential for fraud charges, including securities fraud, tax fraud, wire fraud, and labor racketeering, cannot be ruled out. The Clippers' involvement in a federal criminal investigation could have far-reaching implications, both for the team's future on and off the court.
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