NBPA executive’s rift attracts U.S. Attorney’s attention - NBA Update
The rift between NBPA Executive Director Billy Hunter and President Derek Fisher has instigated the government to probe the matter. The most recent development of Fisher- Hunter saga erupted after last week when Fisher publically
asked for the audit of union finances.
Hunter asked him to step down as the executive committee unanimously voted against Fisher. However almost a week later Hunter has been informed that U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan is going to scrutinize the matter and has
subpoenaed documents.
According to the Bloomberg, Union issued a statement.
"The NBPA will cooperate fully with the government's investigation,"
Derek, The OKC veteran point guard and Union president has blown whistle on the Executive Director. He strongly believed that Hunter was involved in counterfeit and embezzlement. Fisher issued a statement after the demand of resignation.
“I, along with many others, are extremely disappointed with the Executive Committee. Their demand for my resignation and their need to protect the NBPA management and their own best interests instead of protecting the players we
were elected to serve is unfortunate”.
Though the exact nature of inquiry is not clear but the union has formulated a 6-member committee comprising of players and executive representatives to conduct the internal audit. The committee also has hired the services of Paul,
Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to conduct the inquiry.
Fisher and Hunter were at loggerheads since the end of lockout season, Hunter accused Fisher off cutting an under hand deal with NBA’s commissioner David Stern, though it was never verified and with the current development it seems
more like a propaganda.
Bloomberg reported that the public record shows how Hunters’ family members’ business has been paid around $4.8 million by the union since 2001. That was the reason why Hunter denounced Fisher and refrained from conducting an audit.
During a press conference Hunter deemed Derek’s demands unnecessary.
“The NBPA performs annual financial audits and shares the results of those audits with the Executive Committee and Player Representatives at its annual meetings. The NBPA completed a financial audit in February and will share the
results at the union's summer meeting”.
It has been learnt that almost all of his family works for the union, his daughter in law, daughter and son. His son is a principal at financial planning and investment firm that was paid more than $ 45,000 per month in the last
year to run the union’s financial program. Bloomberg also revealed that Hunter made over $2.39 million last year.
This whole situation attracted the attention of players and almost all of them were in the favour of review. Players like Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake and Coach Mike Brown put their weight behind Derek.
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