New Doctor Declares Donald Sterling Mentally Fit Despite Previous Testing That Determined Otherwise
CNN is reporting that controversial L.A. Lakers owner Donald Sterling underwent a comprehensive medical examination in Las Vegas over the weekend and was declared mentally fit.
According to the article, the testing was conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, a neurologist with the Cleveland Clinic and one of the top dementia and Alzheimer’s disease specialists in the country.
Dr. Cummings’ findings were that Sterling has no signs of dementia and no lack of mental capacity. The 80-year-old did show signs of mild cognitive impairment, which is common in people his age.
The testing completed over the weekend was arranged by one of Sterling’s attorneys and follows a previous diagnosis by two other doctors that determined Sterling is mentally incapacitated. The prior testing had been arranged by Sterling’s estranged wife, Shelly Sterling.
Shelly co-owns the L.A. Clippers with Donald and has been positioning to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.
Shortly after news of the potential sale was announced, Donald Sterling make a public affirmation that he was absolutely not interested in selling the Clippers.
According to USA Today, Sterling’s lawyers filed documents in court today alleging that Shelly Sterling had “duped” and “blindsided” her husband in the process of having two doctors certify in writing that he is mentally incapacitated. They also allege she used those medical opinions to remove him as a co-trustee of the Sterling Family Trust, then agreed to sell the Clippers.
Shelly Sterling says she acted properly and responsibly, in part because the NBA sought to strip ownership rights from them, seize the club to sell it, and potentially devalue the asset before the Sterlings could negotiate a deal.
Sterling and Shelly became estranged at the end of 2012.
The trial to settle the matter is scheduled to begin on July 7.
Donald Sterling’s troubles were set in motion in early April when TMZ Sports released a recording of Sterling arguing with his mistress over her having appeared in photos on Instagram appearing with African-American males. After the recording surfaced, the NBA fined him $2.5 million, banned him for life, and initiated procedures to force the sale of the Clippers.
Sterling has pushed to his lifetime ban from attending NBA events be removed, but league commissioner Adam Silver has remained firm.
Based on Donald Sterling’s erratic behavior since the scandal surfaced (and even before that), it will be interesting to see how this drama continues to play out in a court of law.
[Photo via celebritynetworth.com]
