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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Sterling’s ‘Mistress’ Says She Was His Beard

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Disgraced L.A. Clippers mogul Donald Sterling never had sex with his alleged mistress, V. Stiviano, because Sterling is homosexual, and used Stiviano as a "beard" for three years, Stiviano said Thursday in a court filing in answer to a lawsuit from Sterling's wife, Rochelle.

Stiviano's attorney filed two documents Thursday in Superior Court, a cross-complaint for damages, against the Sterlings, the Clippers and the Sterling Family Trust; and an answer to a complaint for damages.

In the cross-complaint, Stiviano claims that Rochelle Sterling defamed her by calling her a "thief," by claiming that Stiviano had "embezzled funds and other properties from Donald T. Sterling," and that those accusations have been published and broadcast thousands of times since the scandal erupted in April.

The answer to the complaint contains the allegations that threw another twist into the seemingly made-for-tabloids story.

After denying allegations made in 59 paragraphs of Rochelle Sterling's lawsuit, Stiviano states in her answer:

"a. VS was not ever a sexual partner of Donald T. Sterling (hereinafter 'DTS')

"b. VS is informed and believes that DTS is a homosexual and enjoys sexual acts and or sexual congress with males.

"c. VS was DTS's 'beard' for three (3) years prior to the filing of suit in this action.

"d. Rochelle H. Sterling (hereinafter 'Shelly') was at all times relevant and material acutely aware of DTS' sexual orientation and condoned same as well as acknowledged and approved DTS' gifts of money and or properties (other than real property) to VA as such gifts for VS acting in the capacity of and for being DTS and Shelly's beard."

Stiviano also claims that any gifts she got from Donald Sterling were "irrevocable gifts" and "from separate earnings of DTS from and after separation and or 'estrangement' from Shelly."

Stiviano is represented by Mac Nehoray, of Calabasas.

Stiviano is or has been also known as Vanessa Maria Perez, Monica Gallegos, Maria Monica Perez Gallegos, and Maria Valdez.

In the cross complaint, she seeks punitive damages for defamation.

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