Clippers owner Sterling sued by woman claiming racist, sexist taunts

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LOS ANGELES (NEWS1130) – Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is being sued by a woman who alleges that while employed by him they had a romantic relationship and that she was subjected to racially and sexually offensive comments.

The complaint filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that Maiko Maya King’s resistance to Sterling’s “stream of racist and sexist taunts” caused him to retaliate against her and terminate her employment as his personal assistant and caretaker in May.

King, who is represented by high-profile attorney Gloria Allred, alleges discrimination, retaliation and “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and demands a jury trial.

Sterling’s attorney, Bobby Samini, said the suit was “baseless and ridiculous.” He added: “She was never employed by Donald Sterling. Her claim was obviously prompted by opportunistic motives.”

The lawsuit comes after Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by the NBA for publicized racist remarks. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver worked to oust him as owner of the team until his wife, Shelly Sterling, concluded a deal last week to sell it to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The $2 billion deal still needs to be approved by NBA owners.

King was romantically involved with Donald Sterling from 2005 through 2011 while she worked for him and his foundation, but they often “argued about his racist views,” the suit states.

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