Clippers Announcer Michael Smith fraud case

akola · Post #1 » by **akola** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 1:57 am

Sorry if my post does not have much details but did anyone catch that segment Rob Fukazaki was reporting on abc news chanel 7 about Michael Smith being investigated for defrauding a man out of his home? I don't know the exact details but that was just the gist of it. They also asked Ralph Lawler and he said he did not know about the case and could not comment on it.

SportsFan215 · Post #2 » by **SportsFan215** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 4:27 am

Here's the link from wiretap:

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... ing_$735k/

Post #3 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 4:38 am

I think all Clippers should get out of Real Estate. It's bad news.

PlinkingPanda · Post #4 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:05 am

DelaneyRudd wrote:I think all Clippers should get out of Real Estate. It's bad news.

That appears so..

DangerCurtis · Post #5 » by **DangerCurtis** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:38 am

What? Not Mike Smith. He shook my hand and took a picture with me at a game this year. That proves he's innocent.

PlinkingPanda · Post #6 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:51 am

You know what, now that I read the wiretap on RealGM I have mixed feelings. All he apparently did was persuade his friend into do it. It's not very clear as to how he did so.

I mean is this guy a child who can't think for himself on whether or not it's a good idea? In the end it may have been his friend's final decision to put the house up for collateral. Unless there was some blackmail involved or something along those lines he should be responsible for his actions.

But like I said there needs to be more info available so things are more clear.

TheNewEra · Post #7 » by **TheNewEra** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:55 am

this is funny and sad at the same time after a win over the lakers.

Forte IV · Post #8 » by **Forte IV** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:12 am

Hes also mormon, which makes me wonder

mj_shoefanatic · Post #9 » by **mj_shoefanatic** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:35 am

time for us to bring Petros aboard.

Post #10 » by **mkwest** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 7:48 am

Pandam00nium wrote:You know what, now that I read the wiretap on RealGM I have mixed feelings. All he apparently did was persuade his friend into do it. It's not very clear as to how he did so.

I mean is this guy a child who can't think for himself on whether or not it's a good idea? In the end it may have been his friend's final decision to put the house up for collateral. Unless there was some blackmail involved or something along those lines he should be responsible for his actions.

But like I said there needs to be more info available so things are more clear.

+1

cuad · Post #11 » by **cuad** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 3:10 pm

Mike Smith trying to be as hard as Ralph Lawler but failing.

Post #12 » by **thanumba2clippersfan** » Thu Jan 7, 2010 6:21 pm

I also have mixed feelings about Mike. I have enjoyed his broadcasting and he seems like a great guy. We can only wait see what happens

Post #13 » by **mkwest** » Fri Jan 8, 2010 9:54 am

Clippers announcer pleads not guilty to theft

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP)—Los Angeles Clippers announcer Michael Smith has pleaded not guilty to stealing $735,000 from a golfing buddy in a failed development deal.

Orange County district attorney’s spokeswoman Farrah Emami says Smith posted $25,000 bond Thursday. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Smith and business partner Bruce Furst are charged with grand theft. They are accused of persuading a friend into using his home for collateral on a $735,000 loan to finance a Dana Point development deal. The market collapsed, the deal went sour and the victim is expected to lose his home.

Smith and Furst face up to five years in prison if convicted. Furst posted bail Monday.

Smith, 44, played for the Clippers and Boston Celtics before becoming a broadcaster.

Yahoo! Sports

cinnamon · Post #14 » by **cinnamon** » Fri Jan 8, 2010 4:05 pm

Unfortunate that the former friend who lost his money investing with Mike is so much older, and has inoperable cancer.
These things shouldn't really factor in, but in PR terms they surely will.
It will be interesting to see what evidence is presented on both sides.

JJ LoDuca · Post #15 » by **JJ LoDuca** » Fri Jan 8, 2010 6:46 pm

I was shocked to hear about this. Mike Smith? Nooooo. I've always loved him and Ralph together... I must say I'd be nothing short of devastated if that broadcasting team was broken up because of this.

ClipperDomination · Post #16 » by **ClipperDomination** » Fri Jan 8, 2010 10:06 pm

JJ LoDuca wrote:I was shocked to hear about this. Mike Smith? Nooooo. I've always loved him and Ralph together... I must say I'd be nothing short of devastated if that broadcasting team was broken up because of this.

+1

Although I also love Don MacLean too.

Makes me wonder if:

1) Mike Smith makes a statement on TV during one of the games
2) Mike Smith takes a leave of absence

So Gutta · Post #17 » by **So Gutta** » Sat Jan 9, 2010 6:03 am

What is up with this guy lately?

I watch every Clipper game, and one thing that is guaranteed to happen is that Mike Smith will make at least one dumb comment per game.

Example:

"Andre Miller is one of the top-10 smartest players in the league" (Um, no)

"The Rockets fear the Clippers' size" (The Rockets end up winning the game)

"If the Clippers can get a little more space, then they can put this one away" (The Clippers were up by 6 in the 3rd quarter)

If you want more, follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/bryanboatman) cause I keep track of all of 'em!

I've noticed that Ralph has been saying "Now, don't spoil the ending for me now, Mike" to him lately...

All of this, and the absurd "Borat" comment, this guy seems like he's in a little over his head. Ralph deserves a better color guy. That's just my 2 cents.

PlinkingPanda · Post #18 » by **PlinkingPanda** » Sat Jan 9, 2010 6:13 am

You take his comments too seriously.