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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A former business partner of LaVar Ball won a round in court Friday when a judge ruled that he can testify remotely in the trial of dueling litigation between him and the father of Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball concerning the alleged misappropriation of more than $1.5 million in Big Baller Brand funds.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daniel M. Crowley issued his ruling in favor of Gregory Alan Foster over the objection of Ball's attorneys, who contended that Foster did not give them sufficient notice of his request.
"The court advises (Foster's counsel) that the court will not delay the trial for any (audio or visual) connection issues that defendant may experience," a minute order prepared by Crowley's clerk states.
Foster, who is in Turkey receiving medical care and undergoing surgeries for an intestinal tract issue, says in a sworn declaration that he could not afford to be treated in the U.S.
"Initially, I anticipated recovering sufficiently from my (Oct. 24) surgery and returning home to Los Angeles to attend trial...," Foster says
"However, complications from this surgery occurred, which have resulted in ongoing severe abdominal and back pain, have led my physicians to reevaluate whether it is safe for me to travel to Los Angeles given the lack of access to my medical providers and their deep knowledge of the circumstances affecting my health."
Ball, now 57, started the litigation by suing Foster, the sports apparel brand's former director of operations, in April 2019 for more than $2 million, alleging that Foster conspired to embezzle more than $1.5 million and divert the money to himself. The suit also alleges that Foster never informed the Ball family of his criminal past.
Foster countersued in October 2019 for fraudulent concealment and breach of contract, alleging that LaVar Ball misappropriated money from Big Baller Brand and other companies associated with the Ball family, including Ball Sports Group, to fund an extravagant lifestyle and use as his "personal piggy banks." Foster contends he is a Big Baller Brand owner, but Ball disputes that claim.
Foster maintains that he loaned hundreds of thousands of dollars to LaVar Ball, his wife, Tina, and Lonzo Ball, including more than $130,000 for Lonzo Ball's living expenses at UCLA.
Foster's suit also alleges that he managed an $80,000 sale of Lonzo Ball's college uniforms and shoes, the proceeds of which went to the down payment on a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon for the NBA player.
Lonzo Ball, 27, is a point guard for the Chicago Bulls and LaMelo Ball, 23, plays the same position for the Charlotte Hornets.