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Steve Ballmer Added to Investor Lawsuit Alleging Secret Kawhi Leonard Payments

Plaintiffs seek to recover losses during a separate league investigation.

Overview

  • Eleven former Aspiration investors amended a July filing on Monday to name the Clippers owner, alleging cap circumvention through the company now known as Catona.
  • The complaint references reporting on a $28 million "no‑show" arrangement tied to Leonard’s time with the Clippers and asserts Ballmer invested over $50 million while publicly backing the firm.
  • Plaintiffs allege Ballmer’s money kept the venture afloat and secured co‑founder Joe Sanberg’s silence, with the scope of any transfers to be examined in discovery.
  • The NBA’s independent probe remains active under outside counsel, with possible penalties under the CBA including fines, forfeiture of a first‑round pick, or voided transactions.
  • Sanberg has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, Aspiration rebranded and entered bankruptcy, and Ballmer denies wrongdoing, saying he was conned by the company.