Shortly after the Toronto Raptors won their first ever NBA championship, team president Masai Ujiri was recorded in a minor altercation with an Oakland sheriff's deputy. The deputy blocked Ujiri from the court, and Ujiri responded with a shove.
Last month, the deputy filed a civil lawsuit against Ujiri alleging assault and battery, which Ujiri and the Raptors have pushed back on. No criminal charges were filed by police against Ujiri after the incident last year.
A new report by KTVU FOX 2 reveals that the deputy in question, named Alan Strickland, was previously convicted of insurance fraud. San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe provided this synopsis of the case to KTVU:
“On Oct. 15, 2005, San Mateo police called the DA’s office to advise Strickland was a candidate for police officer. He admitted to ‘mal mish’ (malicious mischief) (sic) his vehicle in 1994. Apparently he was upset that they raised his premiums due to his not being candid re: mileage so he decided to make that up by slashing his tires and damaging his vehicle.”
The report notes that the Raptors’ attorneys will likely note this incident in their defence of Ujiri.
Ujiri discussed the lawsuit with reporters last month, describing it as "malicious."
h/t KTVU FOX 2
