Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
According to an article on ESPN.com, former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen will not face charges after an altercation over a photo and autograph with a drunken fan.
It is said that the fan, Camran Shafighi, attempted to get a autograph and photo with Pippen at Nobu, a restaurant in Malibu, but he refused. The report stated that Shafighi then tried to grab Pippen, cursed at him and spit in his face.
Shafighi said that Pippen then punched him in the mouth, while kicking him repeatedly on the ground. He said his last image before losing consciousness was Pippen’s foot coming at his face.
Pippen admitted to spitting at Shafighi and pushing him away, but denied taking any further action.
Shafighi has filed a $4 million lawsuit against the Hall of Famer. After being taken to the hospital for a possible concussion, which turned out to be negative, he returned later on, stating he had fractured ribs and an injured ankle. Upon further examination, his only injuries were a small bruise on his chin and a cut on his lip.
Reports concluded that Shafighi had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 percent, and tested positive for opiates as well. Doctors stated that he had a reputation for faking seizures, and had only stopped when his doctor asked him to.
The physician who examined him said he thought he was “making this stuff up.”
Pippen’s attorney, Mark Geragos, said that his client will pursue further legal action.
“This shakedown artist was drunk, screaming racial slurs, and assaulted my client and his family,” Geragos said. “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.”
