The Los Angeles Clippers want a judge to order arbitration of the claims of a former trainer who sued the organization, alleging he was wrongfully fired in 2023 for complaining that the team was subjecting Kawhi Leonard to “unsafe and illegal treatment” for his ongoing knee injuries in disregard for the star small forward’s safety.
Randy Shelton’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit allegations also include retaliation, whistleblower retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. On Friday, Clippers attorneys filed court papers with Judge Stephen P. Pfahler contending that Shelton is bound by his original hiring agreement to resolve employment disputes before an arbitrator rather than a jury.
“Despite plaintiff’s assertion that he would honor the terms of [his] employment agreements and live up to his obligations and duties, plaintiff filed his claims in the form of a civil lawsuit to make a public spectacle and to defame defendants with statements that he knows or should know are false,” Clipper attorneys state in their court papers.
Shelton “gloated” during his deposition that millions of people saw his lawsuit the day it was filed, the team lawyers further state in their pleadings.
In a sworn declaration, Lawrence Frank, the Clippers president for basketball operations, stated that Shelton signed his employment agreement in 2021 and was not rushed into reviewing it or prevented from having a lawyer examine the document.
To the contrary, Shelton said he...
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