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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A judge has ruled both James Harden and the man suing him can testify virtually during the upcoming trial of a contract dispute lawsuit related to a Beverly Hills mansion the Los Angeles Clippers guard leased in 2019.
Plaintiff George Santopietro's Los Angeles Superior Court complaint alleges that Harden paid $82,200 to stay for a week at the home contingent on him not having more than seven guests. But Harden had multiple parties during the lease term in which he hosted more than 15 people and the home suffered property damage that negatively affected Santopietro's relationship with the homeowners association, according to the plaintiff's court papers.
On Thursday, Judge Peter A. Hernandez said Harden and Santopietro can testify virtually without having to come to court. In his court papers, Santopietro's attorney stated that his client is a 77-year-old stage 4 throat cancer survivor who lives in Bangkok, Thailand, and is unable to travel by aircraft.
In January, Harden filed a cross-complaint against the Beverly Park North Homeowners Association as well as the Vmw Trust, identified in the court papers as the mansion's title holder at the time it was leased. Harden alleges negligence and is seeking indemnity.
Trial of Santopietro's case, filed in September 2019, is scheduled for Jan. 7.
Harden, 35, joined the Clippers in October 2023, four months after requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden attended Artesia High School in Lakewood and led the team to two state titles. He is the all-time highest scoring lefthander in NBA history.