NBA All-Star Allen Iverson testified Monday that the men suing him for $20 million over a barroom brawl are trying to get rich quick.
The former Georgetown Hoya, wearing an oversized baby-blue suit with an open white shirt and matching pocket handkerchief, appeared cool, cocky and annoyed at having to testify Monday at the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia.
Iverson testified that he has never seen his accusers before and said his bodyguard didn’t fight anyone during an altercation two years ago at Eyebar in downtown D.C.
He claims that instead of seeking justice by pursuing assault charges, the plaintiffs are seeking justice by trying to get millions of dollars.
“I’m here because I worked my whole life to get where I am,” Iverson said, “and they just want to get rich overnight.”
Iverson, now a Denver Nugget, told the jury he was in the VIP section of the nightclub when a disturbance broke out. He said his bodyguard, Jason Kane, grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the club and into his Bentley coupe parked out front.
The plaintiffs, Marlin Godfrey and David Kittrell, say Iverson’s entourage beat them and that Iverson even got into the act by hitting someone with a bottle.
Iverson, 32, appeared confident on the stand during his hour-long testimony. The 11-year NBA star said he didn’t see his bodyguard fight with anyone.
When opposing lawyer, Gregory L. Lattimer asked him to read a multipage document that included the lyrics of a rap song he authored, Iverson took a second and then, without reading the paper, tossed the paper back on the stand and said “I’m done.”
Iverson stood by Kane, saying he never saw his bodyguard fighting anyone. He said his manager hires Kane when he needs a bodyguard in D.C. Iverson said the NBA recommends that superstars use security, and he hires security about once a month.
Kane also provides security for Paris Hilton and rap stars Missy Elliot and 50 Cent.
A similar lawsuit against Iverson was filed last year over an alleged assault by his security team at a Hampton, Va., nightclub. That incident occurred less than two weeks before the one in Washington.
As a high school player, Iverson and his friends were involved in an altercation with teenagers at a Hampton bowling alley, and Iverson was convicted of maiming by mob. Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder became convinced Iverson was treated unfairly and granted him clemency.
