NBA star Allen Iverson denied taking part in a 2005 Washington nightclub brawl, testifying on Monday that two men who sued him for US$20 million in connection with the fight want to cash in on his basketball fame.
The plaintiffs say Iverson's bodyguard and other members of his entourage attacked them when they wouldn't immediately make room for him in the VIP section of the Eyebar.
Iverson said in US District Court he didn't see his bodyguard tangle with the two men. The Denver Nuggets guard said he stayed for about 20 minutes, saw a fight brewing and left immediately.
"I think I'm here because I worked hard all my life to get where I'm at and they want to get rich overnight," Iverson said.
He is accused of failing to properly supervise his bodyguard and others who were with him at the club on July 20, 2005.
Plaintiffs Marlin Godfrey and David Anthony Kittrell contend bodyguard Jason Kane and others beat them badly, including an attack with a bottle. Kittrell testified last week that Iverson witnessed the fight for about five minutes, grinning and jumping up on a couch to avoid getting hurt.
They accused Iverson and Kane of assault, infliction of emotional distress, negligence and conspiracy. On Monday, Judge Ellen Huvelle dropped a number of charges against Kane and limited the case against Iverson to negligence for failing to supervise his entourage.
Gregory Lattimer, lawyer for the plaintiffs, said that Godfrey had "his head busted open," sustained damage to his eyes and needed two years of psychological counseling.
"He went through all that because he knew one day he was going to sue you?" Lattimer asked Iverson. The player answered no.
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