The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has decided not to file charges against former Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen relating to an incident where Pippen allegedly punched a drunk autograph seeker at a swanky Malibu sushi joint, according to the Associated Press.
Authorities determined that there was insufficient evidence to pursue assault charges against Pippen, they also said that Camran Shafgi exaggerated the extent of his injuries and faked seizures after the altercation, according to the Associated Press.
Pippen and his family were dining at the trendy Nobu restaurant when Shafgi approached their table and asked for a photo, Pippen let the man take a picture but did not pose with him. While Pippen was leaving Shafgi approached Pippen asking for a picture a second time at which point Pippen allegedly punched and spat on Shafgi multiple times. Pippen told officers that Shafgi started the physical conflict by swearing and spitting at him, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Shafgi was taken to UCLA Medical Center where tests showed that he had no signs of trauma and a blood alcohol level of .18 percent, more than double than what is considered to be intoxicated in the state of California, according to the Los Angeles Times.
While Pippen will not face criminal charges Shafgi has filed a civil lawsuit for $4 million dollars against the basketball Hall of Famer. After being discharged from the hospital following the incident Shafgi returned at a later date saying that he had been diagnosed with fractured ribs and a broken ankle from the fight despite the only visible injuries being a small bruise on his face, according to the Associated Press.
"This shakedown artist was drunk, screaming racial slurs, and assaulted my client and his family," Mark Geragos, Pippen's lawyer who is planning a countersuit, told the Associated Press. "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."
