Belkin Testifies Against Co-Owners In Opening Day Of Trial

Belkin's Co-Owners Accusing Him Of Trying To Control And Dominate Group

Estranged Atlanta Spirit co-Owner Steve Belkin yesterday testified for the first time against his seven partners in the ownership group and "shed light on a tampering case that cost the [Hawks] more than" $1M, according to Kristi Swartz of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Belkin's testimony came on the first day of a trial in Montgomery County (MD) Circuit Court that "could reshape the ownership structure of" the Hawks and Thrashers, as Belkin is suing the other Atlanta Spirit partners to determine the value of his 30% stake in the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips Arena operating rights. Rob Remar, an attorney representing the seven partners, "accused Belkin of trying to control and dominate' the other owners, who live in Atlanta and Washington." Remar alleged that Belkin "wouldn't let the owners into the Hawks' locker room" or to "fly on the team plane." Remar also said that Belkin accused co-Owner Bruce Levenson of "player tampering -- an act Belkin denied in open court." Belkin said that his business partner, Atlanta Spirit BOD member Felix Riccio, "made the accusation." The NBA had "asked an Atlanta attorney, one who helped the Spirit buy the teams from Turner, to investigate the tampering claims," but when the lawyer "concluded the claims were false, Belkin engaged his own lawyer to investigate instead." Remar said that the investigation "cost the Atlanta Spirit $1[M] in legal fees." Belkin's attorney Jack Fabiano also cited a memo in which Levenson "mentions 'Belkin's misdeeds' as a business partner and says his wrongdoings should have a 'not so-subliminal effect against the evil Belkin.'" Fabiano "argued that the other owners wanted Belkin out of the group ever since they bought the teams," and he added the other owners "were crowing about how they built relationships with the players" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/18).

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