Prosecutors sided with Scottie Pippen and won’t be filing criminal charges against him for the alleged beating of a man who wanted a photo of the former Chicago Bulls star.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said Tuesday that there was insufficient evidence to file assault charges because the alleged victim, Camran Shafighi, exaggerated his injuries including faking seizures.
The altercation happened at Nobu, a sushi restauraunt in Malibu. Pippen was dining with his family when he was approached by Shafighi for a photo. Pippen’s photo was taken by Shafighi, but not with him. Shafighi then followed Pippen out of the restaurant into the parking lot where he asked for another photo and an autograph, the former NBA baller refused.
According to reports, Pippen told the authorities that Shafighi became aggressive, cursing and grabbing at him, then spitting in his face.
Shafighi, 49, said Pippen punched him in the mouth and kicked him multiple times. The last memory Shafighi had before losing consciousness was seeing Pippen’s foot coming toward his face, the report said.
Shafighi was taken to the hospital, treated and released. He promptly filed a $4 million lawsuit against Pippen.
While in the hospital, all tests came back negative for internal trauma. The only positive test was his blood-alcohol level, which came back twice the legal limit for driving – 0.18.
Reports also show that Shafighi was having seizures, but they stopped when the doctor ordered him to do so. The physician who examined Shafighi told investigators he believed Shafighi was “making up stuff,” the report said.
“This shakedown artist was drunk, screaming racial slurs, and assaulted my client and his family,” Pippen’s attorney Mark 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.”
