Vanessa Lopez (right)

Reported by Malcolm Morrow

It looks as if statements made by Kobe Bryant about the alleged infidelity of his teammate Shaquille O’Neal have landed Bryant in the middle of an upcoming lawsuit against O’Neal for “intentional infliction of emotional distress and assault”, according to EurWeb.com. Vanessa Lopez, one of O’Neal’s alleged former mistresses, says that she will cite Bryant’s statements that he made while he was dealing with accusations of r@ping a hotel worker in Colorado.

Lopez says she wants to know what advice did O’Neal give Bryant to help quell the incident. According to the same website, “While Bryant was under investigation, he reportedly told cops that O’Neal would pay up to $1 million in hush money to different women.” Lopez wants to know this information so that she can show the kinds of extremes that O’Neal is willing to go to in order to cover his tracks. Lopez says that O’Neal began to harass her after she revealed to him that she was pregnant with his child. Lopez had already broken off their relationship due to accusations of cheating being raised by O’Neal.

It’s strange how the pot is calling the kettle black in that scenario. Lopez also says that she is now fearful for her own safety due to the actions of O’Neal. “I live every day fearing for my safety. I now have extreme anxiety because of Shaquille O’Neal’s campaign to intimidate and silence me. Since the incidents began I have been plagued by anxiety and depression for which I have taken medication.” The trial is set to begin on March 25. It’ll be interesting to see what will be brought to the light during the proceedings.

What is your opinion?

Malcolm Morrow, a Your Black World Network contributor, is a senior, criminal justice major at The University of Southern Miss

Staff