V. Stiviano seeks $10M, claims Donald Sterling is secretly homosexual
LOS ANGELES -- V. Stiviano dropped a bombshell allegation about Donald Sterling on Thursday in her legal response to a lawsuit filed by Shelly Sterling.
In the legal documents, Stiviano claims she never had sex with Donald Sterling, and alleges that he is a homosexual.
"It's basically alleging that Donald was not interested in her. She's the wrong gender for him," said Mac Nehoray, Stiviano's attorney.
Stiviano claims she acted as Donald and Shelly Sterling's so-called "beard" for three years.
"In order for people not to suspect he's a homosexual or allege that," said Nehoray.
Just months ago during an interview with Barbara Walters, Stiviano spoke fondly of her relationship with the former Clippers owner.
"I'm his confidante, His best friend...his silly rabbit," she said.
Stiviano also claims Shelly Sterling was aware of her husband's sexual orientation.
"It was not a surprise to the other side. We've been engaging in discovery and they knew what we were going to allege," said Nehoray.
Shelly Sterling's suit accuses Stiviano of having an affair with her husband and receiving gifts from him, including a home and several luxury vehicles purchased with money from the Sterling family trust.
Stiviano's attorneys have also filed a cross-complaint, naming the Sterlings and the Clippers.
It alleges she was exposed to: Hatred, contempt and ridicule; suffered loss of reputation, shame and mortification; injury to her person and psyche; and injury to her feelings.
Stiviano is seeking damages of no less than $10 million.
Stiviano believes an attack she suffered in New York happened because of her tarnished public image.
"Each one of them made statements that my client was a thief that she embezzled money, that she was an animal in the bed, and all sorts of statements that put my client in a bad light," said Nehoray.
Eyewitness News attempted to contact the Sterlings for comment. Donald Sterling's attorney said he had not yet seen the new legal documents.
