What We Know About V. Stiviano, Woman Accused of Leaking Racist Rant
April 28, 2014— -- The woman the Los Angeles Clippers accused of leaking racist rants purportedly from team owner Donald Sterling has an active presence on social media that portrays the glamorous life of a jet-setting model.
Photos in the Instagram account of V. Stiviano, identified as Sterling’s girlfriend, show her scuba-diving in South Beach, attending fashion shows in Paris and New York, and posing at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where she lives.
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Born Maria Vanessa Perez, Stiviano, who used to live in Texas, describes herself online as an artist, lover, writer, chef, poet, stylist and philanthropist.
The 31-year-old is at the center of a scandal after recordings surfaced, purportedly of her conversations with Sterling, 80, in which the NBA team owner unleashes a tirade against minorities.
Stiviano is also entangled in a legal battle with Sterling's wife of 50 years, Rochelle Sterling, according to the Los Angeles Times. Rochelle is reportedly suing for the return of a $1.8 million duplex, a Ferrari, a Range Rover and two Bentleys that she says her husband bought for Stiviano.
Coincidentally, Stiviano made an appearance in court today to prove that she had completed 130 hours of community service stemming from a DUI arrest on Sept. 22, 2012, ABC station KABC reported. She has paid all her fines and program requirements from that incident, court records show.
The Clippers said they believe the woman on the tape released it to TMZ.
A lawyer for Stiviano said the recording is legitimate but that Stiviano did not leak the tape.
"Ms. Stiviano did not release the tape(s) to any news media," attorney Mac E. Nehoray said in a statement.
The man in the recording is heard scolding Stiviano for posing with black people in photos that she posted on Instagram.
“Why are you taking pictures with minorities?” he asks.
In the recording, Stiviano declares she is black and Mexican.
“I’m a mixed girl,” she says. “And you’re in love with me.”
The man urges Stiviano, to keep her relationships with minorities private, and to stop “broadcasting” them with photos on social media.
Rochelle Sterling told ESPN that she isn’t sure if the voice on the recording is her husband’s but doesn’t condone the racist remarks.
