The Heat star interviewed in legal battle involving gang members.
Shaquille O’Neal has become embroiled in a criminal case with a storyline that even Basketball Housewives couldn’t beat.
TMZ recently reported on a legal battle in which seven gang members allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and robbed a man who claimed to have had a sex tape of Shaq with other women—while he was married to Shaunie.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that on February 11, 2008, Ladell Rowles, a member of the Main Street Mafia Crip Gang in L.A. and friend of Shaq—along with six other members—went to meet Robert Ross. They believed Ross had the sex tape, and they tried getting it back through force.
TMZ said, according to the police report, the seven gang members met up with Ross at the Pink Dot convenience store on Sunset Strip. The men allegedly “surrounded Ross' Rolls Royce Phantom with guns drawn, jumped into Ross' car and ordered him to drive to Rowles' house in South Central L.A.”
After arriving at their destination, Rowles allegedly pistol whipped Ross. Then he demanded that Rowles turn over the sex tape. Ross said he would get the tape and bring it back to them. The men then allegedly robbed Ross of his Rolex, diamond chain and earrings, and $15,000 in cash. They then let Ross go.
Shaq was interviewed by LAPD detectives to determine whether he had any involvement in the alleged crimes. (Shaq was not listed as a suspect when the case file went to the D.A.) According to TMZ, Ross does have a history with Shaq. Shaq owns a record label with Ross’ business manager, Mark Stevens. Allegedly, Shaq promised Ross a 50 percent cut in any artists he brought to the label. Ross claims “he delivered Ray J to Shaq but got cut out of the deal.”
According to police, after a falling out with Shaq, Ross threatened the NBA star by telling him about the sex tape. He threatened to release it unless Shaq paid up.
About the tape, Ross claims Shaq brought women to his home where he had sex with them—all while he was married to Shaunie. Allegedly, a "security camera" captured the trysts. But Ross told cops the security camera recycles periodically, and the video no longer exists.
At press time, Shaq had not responsed. But his ex-wife did have some advise for his retirement. “I’m gonna hope he invests [his free time] in his kids.”
(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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