Donald Sterling to pay $2.725 million to settle housing discrimination lawsuit [Updated]

Los Angeles Clippers owner and real estate mogul Donald T. Sterling has agreed to pay a record $2.725 million to settle allegations that he discriminated against African Americans, Hispanics and families with children at scores of apartment buildings he owns in and around Los Angeles.

The settlement, which must be approved by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer, is the largest ever obtained by the Justice Department in a housing discrimination case involving apartment rentals, officials said.

If approved, the settlement would also resolve a pair of lawsuits by former tenants of Sterling who alleged they were discriminated against because of their race.

[Updated at 1:10 p.m.: In the court documents describing the agreement, Sterling and his wife, Rochelle, deny any wrongdoing. They describe the agreement as "a compromise of disputed claims" and not an admission of any liability.]

Under the agreement, Sterling and his wife would pay $2.625 million to a fund for people who were harmed by their discriminatory practices, officials said. They would also pay a $100,000 penalty to the government.

“The magnitude of this settlement demonstrates our commitment to vigorously prosecute violations of the Fair Housing Act,” Thomas E. Perez, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. “With tight mortgage credit and rising foreclosures, it is more important than ever that minorities not face discrimination when renting apartments.”

The Justice Department sued the Sterlings three years ago, accusing them of favoring Korean tenants while seeking to exclude blacks and families with children. Through their Beverly Hills Properties, the Sterlings own and manage about 119 apartment buildings with some 5,000 units in Los Angeles County, according to the Justice Department.

In court filings, Justice Department lawyers presented evidence that the Sterlings made statements “indicating that African Americans and Hispanics were not desirable tenants and that they preferred Korean tenants” occupy buildings they owned in Koreatown.

Had the case gone to trial, an expert would have testified that an analysis of the Sterlings' rental practices in Koreatown revealed that they rented to far fewer African Americans and Hispanics than would be expected, based on demographics. As part of the settlement, the Sterlings will be required to pay for an independent contractor to monitor their employees' compliance with the Fair Housing Act over the next three years. The results of the tests would be reported to the Sterlings and to the government.

-- Scott Glover

Photo: Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling at a game. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[pasadena jag]

Sterling and his wife - who operate the apartments - have to be national nominees for the most dreadful people to ever exist. No wonder clubs have black ball rules. Its to keep people like Sterling out. Fines for these two aren't enough. Talk about reasons why the human race is doomed: just look at Donald Sterling!

[MdW]

Racism is alive and well in Los Angeles, Players should boycott there games while African Americans and Latino's don't pay for tickets to attend games.

I wonder if the players new before they signed contracts with this fool what type of person he really is would they still have signed the contracts.

Rush whats his name would have fit right in with this Jerk.

[Richard Deight]

Good for the Justice Department, but probably a drop in the bucket for Donald Sterling.

A good argument that no one should have so much power and money he can play God with people's lives.

[Black and Korean]

No way, I thought racism and discrimination was a thing of the past, according white America. Maybe it's just my imagination working overtime again. Darn.

[Cynthia Maher]

Bravo Mr. Perez!

[Lloyd]

Donald Sterling is a loser just like his Clippers. What a travesty and a sham that the money goes to a fund, how about giving the money to the people whom he discriminated against who tried to rent some of his apartments? He should be forced to sell some of his apartment buildings to someone who is fair and honest and color blind; this man is obviously a racist!

[Mark]

Is it really such a bad thing to want to keep your property nice and clean, without 18 people living in a two bedroom? Or without someone on the curb selling drugs. I think you should be able to do what ever you want with property you own.

[john]

Did he discriminate against Korean families with childrens too?

[Son Yi]

This is further proof that Korean tenants make the best tenants! We're the best!

BE THE REDS!

[Greg]

Is this the same guy who rents high-rise apts? You know, the dude who flashes a wide smile across the pages of this very newspaper on those self-serving ads? Wow! Life's been rough to him! I thought he'd be much younger and less physically worn.
I just keep thinking what those 2.7 millions could've done to improve the Clippers!
Oh well, I hope the fellows who won the lawsuit know to make good use of that money.

[Factstoknow]

The fact that he is a Jew surprised me. Too bad the Nazi never finished what they started.

[Dom]

This comes as no suprise, especially after reading the article about how Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor was treated within his organization.

[roy]

There are plenty of these types of racist people around.
I'm going to cancel my Clipper's season tickets.

[Detroit4Life]

Don is a piece of racist crap. I will NEVER buy anything he owns, watch the clippers or support his sponsors. What a worthless racist bigot. He is prime of example of why racism exist and will forever.

Don Sterling = KKK

Oh, when was the last time the clippers won a NBA Title KKK Don? Huh? Idiot.

[AL]

Now we have a better idea of why the Clippers are such horrible organization. To receive such a settlement the discrimination must have been obvious. Sterling is not a leader and uses horrible business tactics. Any self respecting Latino or African American should boycott his franchise and not allow him to profit by attending any of this events.

[Daniel]

I believe in the freedom of everyone. I don't believe someone should be discriminated against because of their race or religion or sexual orientation.

However, if Sterling were to prove that 20 somethings were more likely to cause damage to a property and decided that it would not be a wise business decision to rent to them would that be considered discrimination? To me that just seems like smart business.

Perhaps Sterling was being blatantly racist without any studies behind the business decision and without looking at various tenant applications unbiasedly. If that's the case he should be fined.

[Tony]

This only stands to strengthen Elgin Baylor's claim of discrimination against his Clippers, too.

[Derek]

Funny...no comments on this?

I wonder if it's because of all those atrocious looking advertisements Donald Sterling takes out in the L.A. Times.

[Jay Pist]

THE CLIPPERS SUCK

[Kevin]

I understand how this kind of discrimination can harm the innocent. At the same time, there aren't many Koreans shooting each other and selling drugs in this city. During the last riots, it wasn't the Koreans burning down buildings and looting stores. Because you don't know much about the individuals to whom you rent, renting to Koreans is safer, on average. They are more likely to be gainfully employed and their kids do better in school and are less likely to be involved in crime, and as a result, your property value will increase. Come on now, tell the truth. Would you feel safer in a building full of Koreans, or in a building full of African-Americans or Latinos. But yes, law-abiding African-Americans and Latinos are harmed by ethnicity-based practices like these, and so it is not unreasonable for it to be illegal. After all, if you take the risk-based argument further, you wouldn't hire or rent to anyone with a Y chromosome.

[Fabian]

It is funny that he discriminates against Blacks and Latinos when he had a mistress for years that happen to be a Colombian (Latina)woman that was 30 years younger than he was. He is a hipocite and shem on that old fart.

[Sam]

And this guy is ALWAYS posting his ads in the Times weekly about his charity funds for the poor and disadvantaged. What a sham and contradiction he and his operation is! Helping the less fortunate, but on the other side of the coin, he just doesn't want those same people renting his properties. Shame on him and Rochelle both!

[Factual Guy]

Will Mr. Sterling also pay for display ads in the Times with his picture and self-congradulations about creating the special fund?

[keith]

If nothing else Donald Sterling is consistent. He's discriminated against allowing decent basketball players into the Clipper organization as well but he's paid out much, much more. I think a contracted salary of one of his players would be much more fine.

[pasadena jag]

What no comments? Sterling is one of the most loathed people in LA - and most likely the comments are so filled with vitriol the Times must censor. Of course Sterling is a major advertiser.

[GR]

I bet we won't see Sterling running a full page ad with his picture in it bragging about this.

[shakazulu]

This is what the African American activist in the black community has been protesting against for years, the continued gentrification of Los Angeles. When they changed the name of South Central Los Angeles to South Los Angeles, we knew they were trying to get all the rich trust fund hipsters into those communities with well built homes and 15 - 20 minutes away from the beach. The powers that be in Los Angeles are trying to turn the core of L.A. into an urban Disneyland minus the minorities of course.

[dino larez]

i think this is a lot of crock" the the strlings. are being sued by these money hungry blood suckers. ive deiven limousines for 19 years. ive served some of mr donald sterlings renters of his apts. ive seen hispanic/black/and many other famileys. in the buildings. yes famileys.most of his workers are black/ philapino/and hispanic workers. how can that be that he is being acused.the city is looking to money thats all. i love the mr. donald sterling. and the way he treats his workers and and tenants. and get this ive never met the MAN" i hope he wins this one" in court.

[Da Maverick]

Elgin Baylor's lawyers must be smiling today. At first glance, 2.7 million doesn't seem like a whole lot, but Baylor's lawyers just might be able to extract a sum that may actually annoy Sterling.

Hey Sterling, can a plantation owner be Korean/Asian?

[Peter323]

And this jerk owns the Clippers, located in the heart of Los Angeles and drawing African-American and Latino fans. He and his wife may get rid of the legal liability by paying off, but they can't shed the moral stigma so readily. They owe Los Angeles an apology.

[KK]

I wonder if anybody will sue if it is the other way around where the landlord prefer Blacks and Hispanic. Don't they get to choose the best tenant?

[Rik]

Good news.
Now if someone could just sue him for false advertising. The Clippers are not an NBA team

[Randy Hoover]

Why would any Black or Latino person support this guys team? What a racisit jerk. If you buy a clippers jersey, youre a fool.

[politicallycorrect]

Korean tenants right? It's because Koreans actually pay their rent, don't have entitlement attitudes, don't threaten with frivolous lawsuits with the race-card involved, don't bump rap music blaring the n-word and other vulgarities at 2 in the morning, don't have an army of boisterous children who put excess wear and tear on property...You get the picture?

[Detroit4LIfe]

how come the LA Times is not posting comments from readers regarding Don Sterling the racist? very disappointed in the LA Times. very disappointed. guess the payoff was good from KKK man Don.

[Gebster]

What a dirtbag biggot! And what is the deal with the Sunday print edition of the Times and congrats ads for various causes showing that dirtbag biggot on every other page? Thank god for the online edition of the times and multi-tab web browsers...it makes reading the Times a lot easier and quicker since i don't have flip thru 20 pages of crap ads saying congrats for this and that to the dirtbag biggot.

[Herbert A.]

I think this is a sham. Did they do an analysis on which of the tenants, Korean or African American or Families paid their rent on time and caused a minimum of unwarranted headaches for the Property Owner.

Also, did they do an analysis of property owners in other areas with de facto segregation? Places like Chinatown, East LA, South Central or West LA? Let's see some comparisons to other property owner rental demographic data.

Also, does the fact Mr. Sterling is Jewish play a role in the investigation. I wonder.. I think the Justice Department should also investigate a range of property owners and not single out Mr. Sterling.

Also, doesn't Mr. Sterling's charitable work in LA county amount to anything? I bet he's donated millions of dollars to programs that help African American and other minority kids.

I am afraid the Justic Department is wrong in this ruling.

[Maury]

Typical tight--wad, selfish sob rich guy. He's more worried about jacking up his rental units and BAM!! 2.75 mil in one shot. GOOD! He'll have to do alot of rent increases to make up for this, lol.

[Real American]

The man just didn't want blacks and hispanics messing up his properties..sorry folks...I live in the Valley and it has gone down the toilet because of blacks and hispanics not taking care of neighborhoods, buildings, homes,s treets...they park broken down cars on their front lawns...let's say a hispanic or african american owned these properties and discriminated against blacks and hsipanics...would he or she get sued....probably not..oh by the way Im Asian froom East Africa..nto a racist, just soemone who sees the truth and writes it...

[Terry Amdur]

Perhaps now we will finally see an end to the self-promoting ads lauding Sterling for his supposed humanitarian efforts that appear almost daily in the LA Times.

[derrick]

yes , you can play basketball , but unless you are a clipper you can't live in my apt. well mr sterling why not put koreans on your basketball team. strange isn't it this has not made the nightly news, maybe just maybe he jewish , o no , taht couldn't be it , but the damm truth it is and it has been to the beginning of this rotten city. there only hate crime unless it done to jews.

[alex alva]

How sad I mean here this guys mug is CONSTANTLY plastered in the paper showcasing what a humanitarian he is and what prize he (and now his wife) getting...looks like he can feel the grim reaper marching up and now wants to buy his way into where ever sleezebag slumlords go when they DIE

[beyouself]

good this guy is a crook

[marley]

Hmm Is Don Sterling related to Niki Sterling? Just curious. Cant discriminate, this is america, cant even ask if they are legal residents of the US

[C]

No matter what the reason...discrimination of ANY kind is WRONG! What's done in the dark will ALWAYS come to the light.

[John Keane]

Yup, you've got to watch out for these Zionists. Racism is prevailent in all races. He wants top dollar for his real estate deals, he's not into social housing.

[Gordon "Lug Nutzz" stewart]

I worked for Donald T. Sterling for almost 8 years in the mid 90's. I think he is being gouged by greedy lawyers and opportinistic jackyl's that use the descrimination card like toilet aper. This man is one of the most generous and fair people I have ever met. It's a shame that some lazy people have to find a loophole to extract what they do not have enough pride to earn. Gee, so the government discovered that there were more korean tenants in his buildings in "Korea-Town".... than black or latin tenants. Hmmmmm, could it possibly be because it is KOREA town? A korean community? I bet there are more latin tenants in east LA...and black tenants in South central. Maybe again due to the community? The makeup of the adjacent cities? This is damned fraud. Mr. Sterling, I know your heart, and your integrity. God BLess you and Shelley. Gordon Stewart, former employee, and a friend always.

[MC]

I used to work for this man. Its about time "they" got what was comming to them.

[jp las vegas]

if they're his apartments, then why isn't he allowed to rent them out to whoever he wants to? why is discrimination not ok when it's our own personal stuff that we're letting other people borrow for a price? the reality is that this is rational discrimination if more members of a group trash the place and don't pay their rent than another group, then why shouldn't it be the private sector's right to operate in their interests? maybe these people should just live in public housing - there's still plenty of that isn't there - especially with mr. welfare being the president????

[clay]

I worked for orkin pest control during part of the time this proceedings has been going on and I worked in some of his buildings. The tenants complained that they were being discriminated against and told me direct examples. I know these allegations to have substance.

[RW]

There is that old saying if it walks like a duck...quacks like a duck.... it must be.... a duck. I was a fool for buying season tickets with LA Clippers. I won't be fooled again. I hope the tenants and Mr. Baylor are paid generously for the pain and suffering they endured as Sterling's wealth continued to grow.

Maybe now he will stop advertising those annoying banquests where he honors....himself?

[The Truth]

Everybody needs to realize that racism will always exist in this country. Minorities have never been given a fair chance. If minorities had a fair chance then we would be sitting right next to the Sterlings at the round table and this case wouldn't exist. Slavery would not exist, there would be no such thing as Thanksgiving and the Mexico/US border wouldn't be up. Another example, when George Bush was in office and the minorities were complaining about his politics and views, it was swept under the rug. Ex. Hurricane Katrina and FIMA. But know since there is a man of color in office, everyone has a finger to point or something to say. I only have one thing to say, how does it feel now since the shoe is on the other foot?

[usuck]

Bleeding heart liberal, socialists = L.A. Times. Always vilifying those who make it honestly while "exploiting" those who are perpetual complainers of the unfairness of Capitalism.

[larry]

Welfare president wow why dont you tell us how you really feel mr KKK . The only reason you use other derrogatory names for the president is because you cant really call him the N word. It must burn you to see a black man so much more intelligent and successful than you will ever be.

[KC]

Let the man rent to who he wants to rent to. I have lived in LA for 10 years, and guess what; single professionals who have no kids make great renters, and great neighbors. Kids are loud and messy.

As far as not renting to blacks or hispanics, Mr Sterling is on his own! If he said those words, he needs to be punished...on the other hand, if he prefers Koreans for apartments in Koreatown, it makes sense. I lived in K-town, and one of my favorite memories was when Jehova's witnesses came by one Saturday, knocked on the door,saw I was white, and simply walked away after explaining " Sorry, I thought a Korean lived here."

[twanaj]

cant blame the guy he owns them he should be able to rent to whoever he wants and doesnt want , koreans don t like blacks or hispanics so why should he lose his good tenents for gang bangers and welfare losers . his property his choice . the hell with this dicrimination bullcrap , the biggest racist i know are black and its all jealosy plain and simple and thank obama biggest racist and great divider for all of this , and rev wright van jones ect ,

[Maury]

This guy has been getting away with this for years. And the tenants he has now are constantly being ripped off by this greedy devil. I'll bet you anything he'll find a way to get back this 3 million somehow, he may start nickle and diming his tenants. No wonder his Clippers suck, karma.

[chris]

Hell,I would not want African-American tenants either.they are Americas curse

[intelligence]

Hey moderator. It's obvious you expose those with ignorant, rash views. So you like vilifying Sterling huh? Why do you condone anti-Semetic comments like John Keane's? Yep, you blocked my comments because resonate with truth.

[Charles Morgan]

This case is a strong-arm hold-up by the prosecutor. With runaway juries in L.A. who love to give away other people's money, the Sterlings chose to pay this settlement rather than take their chances with a crazy jury and also save on very expensive lawyers. These are fake cases, easy to charge, difficult to defend. As the article cites, the case is based upon dubious "expert" testimony that there were "far fewer African Americans and Hispanics than would be expected, based on demographics". That is hocus-pocus because there are many other factors at play: e.g. the affordability of the rent for the prospective tenant, the credit history of the prospective tenant, etc. Why should a landlord rent to someone with no income and bad credit? This is just another example of the downward spiral of our society caused by the liberals who love to give away other people's money. Take your pick: have landlords who have upscale apartments and contribute to a better quality of life or have landlords who don't care who they rent to and become slumlords because it is government subsidized housing. Wake up: People with education and values are leaving this city and state. They are fed up with big brother looking over their shoulder so they can't run an honest business. After all the business people leave, who will be left to employ the workers? The government? Think again. The government is bankrupt. More people are taking from the system than contributing to the system. It is a failure in the making. Leave California while you can.

[Thomas Davis]

Donald T. Sterling is perhaps one of the most decent and generous men in L.A. if not the state. This is a man who never forgets the qadage that to those who have much, much is expected. This man and his wife have over the years donated millions of dollars to the needs of the poor, the homeless and the disadvantaged. It is not only a disgracve that Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were compelled to settle with those who would extort from them, it is a greater tragedy that these fine people should be slandered in this disgracefull manor.

[Chris Wright]

I see black families in Sterling Plaza. This is all about money and credit scores. The people who bash him here just wish you had a tenth of what he had. But unfortunately calling him a Zionist does not get you out of your section 8 apartment.

[white]

very sad.Have ever been to southside chicago? no wonder mr.Donald didn';t want to rent to black cause they live like pigs and trash everything around.If you dont agree go move to southside chicago!

[Nert]

The LA Times is taking a big ad loss chance with this article given all the those "look at how great I am" vanity ads that Donald Sterling places day after day.

[Beck Peacock]

An African American or Korean landlord discriminates against Jews in housing. Can you envision the "Anti-Semitic" claims and furor in the headlines!!!??

[Ed]

I hope the Sterlings, next time they are hit up by one of these organizations, hand the directors the business cards of the lawyers who brought this suit, and tell them to ask the lawyers how much they will donate.
Anyone who would be a landlord in a major city is out of his/her mind.

[Tara]

Not enough renters take pride in where they live, and not enough owners take pride in their properties. ergo, blight.

[HED II]

I wonder which crooked lawyers were behind this Crock. Any responsible individual --no matter if your brown, black, yellow, gay, straight, cross-dresser, or a disabled human being can rent or lease from the Sterling's. Just come to my Hollywood neighborhood and you can see for yourself.

[Shocked by you]

God forbid he rents to Koreans in Koreatown. Lets move all blacks to Koreatown, all mexicans into Chinatown, and all chinese into Little Italy. Whats wrong with you? Wait until you own a property and then you're not allowed to choose who moves in. Thats the problem. Then you'll see that all people are not equal. Equal risk that is. After all, risk is what you're trying to limit yourself from. He wasn't discriminating, he was protecting his risk. Wake up!

[rlucretia]

Discrimination still exist. When I was a renter, the landlord did not want to fix the wear and tear.Now, as a homeower and current in my monthly morgage payment, the governing body of this condominium discriminate against minorities and we have been paying our fees. I was told once not to bring my belonging using the door instead use the window. My granddaughter was called "dirty baby." I almost got beat up once because I conplained of being treated unfairly and mentioned the word discrimination. Now because I complain too much and talk to everyone here, the board sent me a letter which refrains me to talk, violating my right of free speech.The governing body loves being on the board but doesn't like hearing complains. We just want equality and justice.

[KD]

Yes, all about money, credit scores, and responsibility. I can't wait to see the look on my racist asian neighbors when this black with more money and a better credit score than them moves next door. I have always paid my bills, kept my property clean and I am quieter than my white and asian neighbors. Also lived in Korea for 7 years, I know your dirty little secrets, plenty of scum in your country.

[KD]

Fact, during my mortgage application for my 2nd home. The loan officer had never seen me person, but assumed that due to my credit history, income and wifes obvious asian name, that I was white. I am happy to say that I am black, thank you very much!

[Yiling Lo]

The comments about Koreans are offensive. We are not violin playing, Kimchi eating submissive types you Americans like to stereotype. You are fools.

[lee]

Come on, now. Elgin Baylor was fired because he was an awful GM. He oversaw a Clipper team that drafted Michael Olowokandi before Vince Carter, and somehow passed Amare Stoudamaire in another draft.

This is interesting, because Sterling was allegedly biased towards one minority groups (Koreans) over another (blacks, Latinos). If this concerns Koreatown, isn't it much likely for his apartments to have more Koreans compared to other ethnic groups?

[Joe]

Donald Sterling is not a racist. Racism is a crime and crime is for black people.

[Pedro Gomez]

I don't blame him. Most blacks are terrible renters. They bring the getto to the best places. Look at section 8, blacks truns good neighborhoods into crap.

[steve portlock]

Unfortunately the government wont take responsibility when they lose value on their property once you rent to most minorities. Call it how it is, crime goes up, schools do worse, and you end up owning a ghetto. Why is it that predominantly minority communities become ghettos 100% of the time? Look at the same neighborhood before the minorities got there. They were beautiful. This can't even speak the facts PC bs is out of control.

[steve portlock]

2.7 million can buy alot of 22inch rims and BASS systems

[Henry I]

If the NBA had any integrity it would lift the ownership of the Clippers from Sterling (but the key word is "if"). Sterling is a racist and no matter how many bogus awards his "cronnies" give him, and no matter how many "Coloreds" his croonies find to honor him-- the man is a racist. And that is interesting for a person of Jewish heritage to have the nerve to discriminate after all of the abuse his people have endured.
Obviously, there is no accountability in the NBA. Be a sound commissioner David Stern and do the right thing for all.
The NBA Players Association should force the NBA to lift the franchise from his ownership, now.

[Jack P]

A property owner should be able to select the tenents that rent the property rather than the U.S. gov't telling him who he must rent to. By the way, Elgin Baylor was fired for just cause. He failed to produce a winning team.

[Soon-Yi Choi]

I am Korean and i LIVE near the Koeratown in Mr Sterling apartment. The manager of property tell me that there will be no Black face or Meksikan in the building and that it will be clean.

After about 5 month all of the blackface was gone except for maybe 2 or 3 apartment and that 2 or 3 apartment was so dirty and smell so bad. They leave trash allover the hallway and the baby scream all night long for kool-aid!

Nobody want to pay $800 to live in building with scream baby and black face!!

That is the truth and the reality! Mr Sterling building is very nice now because not too many black face or meksikan!

[chris]

sorry...i rented and know ppl who have rented to blacks and hispanics...you would be better off renting out the space to animals. by the time they are evicted or flee without paying, the rent the landlord might have collected, will barely cover the cost to get rid of the roaches and fix all the broken stuff.

it's a sorry assed fact. ask yourself why they didn't rebuild the section 8 housing in new orleans? katrina was a blessing...drowned out all the rats and roaches...

[sickoffools]

It's okay to discriminate, so what. Every race does it. Look at your neighborhoods, schools, prisons, voting records for President or OJ's trial. Some of the posts here claim blacks would have the other shoe if given the chance. You have the chance, quit crying ! When successful you end up moving out of the ghetto and into the white/jewish/asian neighborhoods. South Central used to be white; years ago. Most of L.A. was decent, now it's third world dump, thanks to Political Crapness. You think the illegals are running back to that cesspool of a country they left behind. Illegals hate blacks, but tolerate whites cause they pay them. Asians are good neighbors, clean, quiet, hard working. Let's just all 'duke' it out. A 'line in the sand', and the Liberal, third world crowd would earn a lot less sand. You don't hear Jews, Whites, Asians whining to get into Black or Hispanic housing. Wonder why.

[Jim Bob]

This is America isn't it? It's a shame you can't rent out your property to who you want to.

[Jim Bob]

This is America isn't it? It's a shame you can't rent out your property to who you want to.

[JAM]

Yet another reason to dislike the Clippers. This guy has been accuse of the same thing in the past and he has always settle, because he didn't want to testify. If this real estate tycoon can't control his employees in a business he should dominate are we surprise he can't or won't field a good Clipper team or front office? Donald, just sell the team for the good of the NBA and the sport. How about a new owner taking the team to Anaheim or back to San Diego.

[Dan McGuire]

These housing and discrimination laws are open for abuse by greedy and unethical lawyers and their worthless slob clients. Of course Sterling didn't want to rent to these people: they trash his property, depress its value, and deter other renters. A free market approach where anyone can rent to whomever he pleases for whatever reason he chooses works much better than government intervention. Fact is, Koreans do make better tenants than blacks and illegals and Sterling should be able to rent to them because he owns the property.

[TSFG]

Elgin Baylor should thank Sterling for the years he had. What other team would take him? The rental problem is just lazy people looking for a quick dollar.

[Who are the people commenting on these boards?]

It's amazing that there are no rational, intelligent comments on this story. Either defenders of Sterling through some perceived personal connection, out and out racist with no sense of others outside of what they have seen or experienced or strangely enough, Koreans who are apparently, not even at their own defense, bashing other races most likely out of some spite or grudge as if there is no racism toward Asians in America (some with bad grammar at that).

Maybe a sociology class or two or a trip out of the "valley" would expand your small minded attitudes. Most importantly a class in the federal or state law or a basic economics class, even in a true "capitalist" free market society, there are laws that govern it. This isn't his home, these are properties for private at large occupation. And yes, if it were AA or Latinos (proper term) committing these acts, then they would be charged.

[Annoyed Reader]

I pray that the settlement with the Sterlings stipulate that Mr. Sterling will not allow any future advertising with those cheesy, tacky, terrible ads. Moreover, he will ensure that there are no future "humanitarian" awardsin his honor, or if they are, no ads are placed with the L.A. Times. I understand that newspapers are in a financial crunch, but i cant stand the Sterlings ads that have infested the once great L.A. Times for the last few years.

[name withheld]

As a fellow landlord and longtime acquaintance of Don Sterling, things are not always how they appear and this is a case of justice gone wild. Discrimination laws were made to prevent violations of people's civil rights, not a means for tenants to "hit the jackpot" by suing their "deep pockets" corporate landlords (more often struggling mom and pop operations due to LA's biased rent control laws) such as my own paralegal tenant suing, and by means of committing fraud and perjury, getting a default judgment against me for $30,000 over a clock radio coming on in another unit. I guess it's not enough that this tenant is already paying only 1/4 of the market rent. Tenants, simple solution:
If you're not happy, MOVE!
-Name withheld
(or this tenant will sue me for freedom of speech)