Knicks legend Charles Oakley was questioned in Manhattan federal court Thursday over “disappearing” text messages following his infamous ejection from Madison Square Garden.
The former power forward who’s suing the billionaire team owner james dolan69, to boot him with a Knicks game in 2017 – During a heated cross-examination he was asked why he got rid of cell phone data that could be crucial in a lengthy legal battle.
The ex-NBA star responded that he lost data when his phone “broke” in July in Oakland, California, and he had to quickly get a new phone.
Oakley told Dolan’s attorney Randy Mastro, “At that point it was more important to hang up the phone.” “I don’t know what’s lost.”
Oakley, 62, later said he was not very tech-savvy.
“I don’t do well with gadgets and stuff,” he said. “My phone is not that important. I don’t know what a cloud is.”
The great basketball player filed trial Against Madison Square Garden and Dolan in September 2017 over ejection claiming security “Used excessive force To complete the removal.
The years-long feud between the two men was revived in May, when the New York Court of Appeals reinstated a lawsuit that had twice been dismissed.
During cross-examination Thursday, Mastro asked Oakley who she texted about the arena incident, suggesting she may have contacted her sisters and former NBA player Jason Williams.
“What’s wrong with sending messages to people who love me?” Oakley returned fire.
The lawyer also asked Oakley if he knew that you have to keep evidence like text messages when filing a lawsuit.
Pressed about his “duty” to preserve the texts, Oakley said, “Things happen.”
Oakley said he has received three new phones since the incident, including one from 2021.
Once Oakley left the courtroom, Mastro argued that he was not a credible witness – and possibly intentionally got rid of his phone data.
“He is a liar,” said the Mastro. “I think he made a conscious choice to get rid of this thing.”
Judge Richard Sullivan did not rule on any matters related to the texts, but turned his anger on Oakley’s attorney, Nelson Boxer – questioning whether he had adequately explained to Oakley the importance of preserving the records.
“Did you do anything other than put a paragraph in the retainer agreement? Was there any conversation about, ‘Your phone is important?'” the judge asked.
“That particular conversation didn’t happen,” the boxer admitted.
MSG’s lawyers had previously cited text messages sent to Oakley in which people allegedly urged him to go after Dolan – one of whom allegedly told him to “use (expletive) against Dolan.” Sue”. sportico.com
Another text allegedly encouraged Oakley to use the search process to pay a “public relations, social media, (and) social responsibility toll,” the outlet reported.
In November, Sullivan raised questions over Oakley’s five years of “missing” text messages.
“It’s outrageous,” the judge said of the missing records.
Oakley was escorted out of Madison Square Garden and arrested after allegedly shoving Dolan during a Knicks game against the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2017.
they were thrown out of the building dramatic scene In which security guards were seen pulling a giant 6 feet 8 inches tall man forward as he tried to push them away.
The criminal case against Oakley, which included assault and harassment charges, was later dismissed.
In his lawsuit, Oakley claimed he was unfairly targeted for making a verbal tirade at Dolan – although MSG personnel said at the time that Oakley was intoxicated and belligerent.
Oakley’s twice-dismissed lawsuit was revived for a second time in May by the New York Court of Appeals, which vacated a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case.
The suit was previously kicked out of Manhattan federal court in 2020. It was revived by the Court of Appeal before being tossed out again in 2021.
Before being thrown out of the arena, Oakley had complained about Dolan’s ownership of the Knicks and complained that he was forced to pay for tickets that were previously complimentary to former players.
Oakley played for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998 and is known for being one of the NBA’s best rebounders and most physical players.
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