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Sterling must pay $5M settlement

By: Associated Press | Thursday, November 3, 2005 11:16 PM PST ∞

A judge ordered Los Angeles Clippers owner and real estate mogul Donald T. Sterling to pay nearly $5 million in fees to plaintiffs' attorneys in a lawsuit accusing him of discriminating against black and Latino tenants.

The case was resolved with a financial settlement that the judge described as "one of the largest ever obtained in this type of case," though the terms were not disclosed.

U.S. District Judge Dale Fisher's order, dated Wednesday, ordered Sterling to compensate plaintiffs' attorneys in a 2003 lawsuit alleging Sterling tried to drive out non-Korean tenants, particularly blacks and Latinos, at apartments he owned in the city's Koreatown neighborhood.

After the suit was filed, Fischer banned Sterling from using the word "Korean" on his buildings and from collecting information about tenants' birthplaces.

The judge chided the defense for what she described as "scorched earth" legal tactics, calling the defense's conduct "often unacceptable, and sometimes outrageous."

Sterling's attorney, Michael Kennick, did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday.

The ruling came two weeks after some good legal news for Sterling: a jury found in his favor in a lawsuit filed by a former property manager, Sumner Davenport, who claimed he had sexually harassed her.

Davenport had also alleged that Sterling's companies had racially prejudiced employment and housing practices, an allegation denied by Sterling's lawyer in the case.

Nuggets' Miller arrested

Denver Nuggets point guard Andre Miller was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court on a traffic citation, police said.

Detective John White said police arrested Miller on Wednesday at the request of the Colorado State Patrol. He was then released.

White said he had no other details.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said he believed the citation was for speeding and said Miller probably forgot his court date.

Et cetera

> PACERS: Indiana will retire Reggie Miller's No. 31 in March. Miller played his entire NBA career with Indiana and retired after last season as the Pacers' leader in points, assists and steals.

> BUCKS: Milwaukee will retain general manager Larry Harris through the 2007-08 season. Harris, 42, is in his third season as Bucks general manager and 16th season with the team. The Bucks exercised the 2006-07 option year on his contract and added an additional year.