Former USC running back Reggie Bush and his parents are appealing a recent Superior Court decision that denied their attempt to have a lawsuit against them settled in confidential arbitration and out of public court.
This means that several anticipated depositions will now be put on hold until the appellate court rules on the arbitration matter. The appeal also puts a crimp into the investigation into Bush by the NCAA, which was focused on the key Aug. 29 deposition of Michael Michaels, now delayed.
Bush and his parents are being sued by Lloyd Lake, a former sports marketing investor, who is seeking almost $300,000 in cash and goods he said was lent and spent on their behalf. The NCAA is investigating whether Bush and his family received impermissible benefits while at USC, which could jeopardize wins in which Bush played and his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
Michaels owned the Spring Valley house where Bush's parents lived in 2005-06, allegedly without paying rent. He reached a settlement with Bush's parents last year in which he agreed not to talk about the case, but his testimony under oath could have corroborated claims made by Lake to the NCAA about improper cash and goods given to Bush and his family. Lake also was scheduled to give his deposition next week.
Lake's attorney, Brian Watkins, called the appeal “frivolous” and said it was a delay tactic. Judge Joan Lewis ruled on the arbitration motion Aug. 1, at which time Bush's attorney, David Cornwell, had received her decision without argument.
– BRENT SCHROTENBOER
