Sparring continues in Reggie Bush case
Plaintiff Lloyd Lake's attorney says Michael Michaels is scheduled to be one of first to give testimony in civil case over alleged benefits, but the football star's lawyer disagrees.
A would-be sports marketing agent who reportedly reached an out-of-court settlement with Reggie Bush will be one of the first people to be deposed in a civil lawsuit involving the former USC running back, the attorney for the man suing Bush said Wednesday.
But, not surprisingly in a situation characterized by more than two years of contentious legal wrangling, Bush's lawyer disagreed.
Michael Michaels, who had partnered with plaintiff Lloyd Lake with hopes of representing the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, is set to be deposed June 2, according to Lake's attorney Brian Watkins.
Lake is suing Bush for nearly $300,000, the amount of cash and gifts that he alleges he gave Bush and his family while Bush was playing college football for the Trojans. The NCAA also is investigating the situation.
Under the terms of the 2007 settlement that was between $200,000 and $300,000, according to Yahoo Sports, Michaels reportedly agreed to a confidentiality clause. But Watkins said Michaels would not be bound by any agreements in his deposition and would be a cooperative and valuable witness.
"He was privy to multiple numbers of conversations and meetings with Reggie and his family," Watkins said. "Basically, he'll corroborate Lake's position."
Michaels could not be reached for comment.
David Cornwell, Bush's attorney, said in an e-mail, "Plaintiff continues to play games in his own lawsuit," and added that during discussion about a date for Lake's deposition, Watkins "represented to the court that the lawyer's first availability was . . . June 5 and 6.""Based on these representations and the court's ruling that plaintiff will be the first to testify under oath, we have scheduled other, unrelated matters and are not available on June 2," Cornwell said. "We will attempt to work with plaintiff's counsel to find a mutually available date."
A San Diego County Superior Court judge this month set a trial date for March 13, 2009. During a hearing, she warned attorneys for both sides that she was losing patience with their quarreling, particularly as it related to scheduling depositions.
The judge announced that Lake would be deposed by Bush's attorneys on June 5 and 6, Bush would be deposed June 23, and LaMar Griffin, his stepfather, and mother, Denise, would give depositions shortly thereafter.
Watkins said Wednesday that he planned to serve notice to USC Coach Pete Carroll and running backs coach Todd McNair for depositions in mid-to-late June.
Bush, who now plays for the New Orleans Saints, has repeatedly said that neither he nor his family did anything wrong.
gary.klein@latimes.com
