Ruling In Lawsuit Against Reggie Bush Could Force Depositions

Appeals Court Turns Down Reggie Bush's Request To Settle Civil Suit In Private Arbitration

Former New Era Sports exec Lloyd Lake's lawsuit against Saints RB Reggie Bush is "back in play" after the California Court of Appeal "turned down Bush's request to have the case settled out of court in private arbitration," according to Brent Schrotenboer of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Yesterday's ruling "could unlock key testimony and evidence in the NCAA's ongoing investigation against USC," where Bush was a member of the football team. The NCAA is investigating whether Bush or his family "received improper benefits from sports marketing investors." With the denial of Bush's appeal, "key depositions now are expected to be scheduled for attorneys for Lloyd Lake, who sued Bush and his parents in October 2007, seeking almost $300,000 in cash and goods he said was lent and spent on their behalf." Lake's attorney Brian Watkins as part of his client's suit "wants to take the depositions of Bush and Michael Michaels, Lake's partner" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 12/29). Bush's attorney Jeremiah Reynolds yesterday said that his client "plans to seek a summary judgment dismissing the case." Reynolds: "We deny there was ever any agreement and we deny (Lake) made any payments" (L.A. TIMES, 12/29).