Shortly before the start of a trial to determine whether Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is mentally incapacitated, his lawyers have filed a motion to move the case to federal court, alleging his medical privacy has been violated.
A probate court trial is scheduled for Monday to determine whether the 80-year-old Sterling should be declared incapacitated so estranged wife Shelly Sterling can sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.
But on Thursday, Donald Sterling’s attorneys filed a notice of removal to federal court, saying the airing of his medical information in the probate case violates federal privacy laws.
Attorneys for Ballmer and Shelly Sterling say the move is a “desperate” attempt at delay.
Sterling’s attorneys deny that, saying it’s important to address the privacy issue.