Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen will not face assault charges for allegedly pushing and spitting on a man at Malibu's Nobu restaurant.
According to the Chicago Tribune, prosecutors won't file criminal charges against Pippen for fighting with Camran Shafighi who authorities said was drunk. The altercation reportedly left the Shafighi unconscious.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Tuesday there was insufficient evidence to bring assault charges against Pippen for the altercation.
Prosecutors said Shafighi exaggerated his injuries including faking seizures after claiming the six-time NBA champion punched him in the face. Pippen was dining with his family on June 24 at Nobu, a sushi restaurant and celebrity hangout on the beach in Malibu, the Associated Press reported. A drunken Shafighi reportedly demanded the seven-time NBA All-Star take a picture with in.
According to ABC News, Pippen obliged to have a photo taken, but not with Shafighi. The 49-year-old followed the 6-foot-8 retired forward outside and into the parking lot. He again asked for a photo and an autograph from Pippen, who repeatedly declined.
Pippen told investigators Shafighi became irate, "grabbing at him, cursing him and then spit in his face," according to a report by the district attorney's office. Pippen told authorities the man allegedly kicked him in the crotch and Pippen lifted his foot to block the kick.
A security guard and two parking attendants witnessed part of the confrontation and told detectives they saw Pippen kicking and punching. Shafighi said Pippen punched him in the mouth and kicked him several times. The last memory Shafighi said he had before losing consciousness was seeing Pippen's foot coming toward his face.
According to ABC News, Pippen admitted spitting at Shafighi and pushing him away, but prosecutors said that was based on witness accounts. It's unclear whether Pippen was the aggressor or acted in self-defense. Shafighi was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a possible concussion. His blood-alcohol level was found to be 0.18 percent, double what is considered legally intoxicated in California, according to the AP.
According to the Tribune, a physician believed Shafighi was "making up stuff," the report said. The only visible physical injuries were a small bruise on Shafighi's chin and a cut to his lip. Shafighi has filed a $4 million lawsuit against Pippen, the Tribune reported. Pippen's attorney, Mark Geragos, indicated his client will countersue.
"This shakedown artist was drunk, screaming racial slurs, and assaulted my client and his family," Geragos told the Tribune. "Scottie and his family are grateful to the sheriff for their investigation and DA for their decision to reject these unfounded charges. Scottie and his family plan on holding this man accountable for his outrageous actions."
Steve Kaplan, a spokesman for Shafighi's lawyer Lee Boyd, said they were reviewing the report and couldn't immediately comment. In 1996, Pippen was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Pippen now serves as special adviser to the Bulls' president and chief operating officer.
