Clippers owner Sterling will pay $2.73 million to settle suit

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Clippers owner and real estate mogul Donald Sterling has agreed to pay a record $2.73 million to settle allegations by the government that he refused to rent apartments to Hispanics, blacks and to families with children, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

The Justice Department sued Sterling in August 2006 for allegations of housing discrimination in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles. Other defendants were Sterling's wife, Rochelle, and the Sterling Family Trust.

The defendants allegedly made statements to employees indicating that African-Americans and Hispanics were not desirable tenants.

Court filings indicated Sterling rented to fewer blacks and Hispanics in Koreatown than would be expected based on demographics, the Justice Department said. In settling the lawsuit, however, the defendants denied any liability. associated press

AROUND THE LEAGUE

CLEVELAND: Center Shaquille O'Neal had his best game as a Cavalier and endeared himself to Cleveland fans during Tuesday's game against Washington by flattening Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson on a drive in the first half. Stevenson has been a pest to the Cavs, engaging in a war of words with LeBron James in the playoffs two years ago.

Guard Delonte West was indicted on additional weapons and traffic charges stemming from his Sept.17 arrest for speeding on a motorcycle and carrying multiple weapons.

The eight-count indictment sheds no new light on why West, 26, was riding a motorcycle on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Md., at 10p.m. with two loaded handguns and a loaded shotgun. Prosecutors added an 81/2-inch Bowie knife to the list of concealed weapons West was carrying. It's illegal in Maryland to carry concealed weapons and to transport loaded handguns.

DETROIT: Forward Tayshaun Prince missed Tuesday's game against Orlando with a back injury, ending his consecutive-games streak at 496. He will be sidelined at least three games before his status is re-evaluated this weekend.

MILWAUKEE: Guard Michael Redd expects to miss about two weeks because of a strained tendon in his left knee.

NEW JERSEY: The Nets said an MRI performed on forward Yi Jianlian confirmed he has sprained a ligament in his right knee. The Nets said Yi will begin rehabilitation immediately and there is no timetable for his return.

He was injured during Monday's 79-68 loss at Charlotte.

PHOENIX: Guard Leandro Barbosa missed Tuesday's game at Miami with an injured right wrist. His status for tonight's game in Orlando is unclear. Through three games, Barbosa was averaging 15.7 points on 56 percent shooting.

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