The Los Angeles County District Attorney has declined to press charges against former NBA star Scottie Pippen over allegations he assaulted a fan in front of Malibu’s Nobu restaurant in June, according to E! News.
Pippen admitted to spitting on the fan and pushing him away, according to documents from the DA’s office, but was justified because the alleged victim was the aggressor in the situation.
Pippen, who was said to be visiting Malibu from Chicago at the time, was dining at the popular restaurant with his family when a fan apparently began snapping photos of the six-time NBA champion inside the popular sushi spot, said Captain Patrick Davoren of the Malibu/ Lost Hills Sheriff’s station.
As Pippen left the restaurant, the fan approached him outside in the parking lot and a “physical altercation” ensued, according to Sheriff’s investigator Lt. Dave Thompson.
“The independent witnesses are vague on this point [and the victim’s] implied denial of initiating the spitting can be impeached by the evidence described …and in any event results in a ‘he said-she said’ on this point,” according to the DA’s office.
Workers at Nobu said the restaurant does not have parking lot surveillance cameras.
While no charges will be filed, Pippen still has a $4 million lawsuit pending against him from the alleged victim, Carman Shafighi.
The suit alleges assault and battery against Pippen, with the victim claiming Pippen spit on him, kicked and punched him after allegedly being asked for an autograph and photo. The lawsuit was filed in July.
In June, Investigators told The Malibu Times that Pippen fully cooperated with their investigation and was not arrested or charged after the alleged assault.