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4h ago

Steve Ballmer Seeks Dismissal of Investor Fraud Suit Over Alleged Kawhi Leonard Payments

The filing argues the amended investor complaint lacks the specific facts required to plead fraud under California law.

Nov 3, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reacts at the end of the game against the Miami Heat at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Ballmer’s attorneys filed a demurrer calling the allegations “sensational” and “patently false” and asserting the complaint mirrors media reporting without concrete evidence.
  • Eleven former Aspiration investors added Ballmer to their lawsuit on Nov. 3, 2025, alleging he supported and participated in Joseph Sanberg’s fraud.
  • A hearing on the dismissal motion is set for March 9, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, with Ballmer asserting he was also a victim who lost his investment.
  • Aspiration co‑founder Joseph Sanberg pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in October 2025, with sentencing scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026.
  • The NBA continues to investigate possible salary‑cap circumvention linked to a four‑year, $28 million Aspiration endorsement for Kawhi Leonard, as the Clippers deny wrongdoing and potential CBA penalties could include fines, loss of a draft pick, or voided contracts.