Sports Radio Interviews

Richard Klein: It’s Seven Weeks Later, How Long Do You Wait?

Richard Klein, is suing Sixers star Andre Iguodala on behalf of his client, Clayanna Warthen.  Warthen has conceived Iguodala’s child and her lawyer has been of a template to go on.  Iguodala has another woman / child he is providing support for (I’m not certain of their relationship), and Warthen wants to come to a similar agreement.  Warthen’s baby is seven weeks old and her representation has reportedly tried to get this done prior to the lawsuit filing late last week.  Were the papers filed conveniently right before Father’s Day?  Maybe yes, maybe no, but apparently Iguodala has dealt with this issue in his other situation, so one would think he can be counted on to take care of it.  Klein joined 950 ESPN in Philadelphia to discuss if his client tried to settle out of court and why Warthen filed now.

Have you tried to settle this without a lawsuit?

“When you have a situation like this which is obviously unusual – it’s not like your average individual who has a child and can support it to a certain level – I’ve invited and I’ve refused to talk to anybody or to file anything with the courts for the last month.  I’ve invited everybody to sit down in a meeting and resolve this (Host: Come to a meeting outside of court).  Absolutely, that’s what I was truly hoping for – as was my client.”

Why have you decided to file the lawsuit?

“The child is now going on seven weeks old.  My client should be able certainly, able to choose the doctors she feels are appropriate to be able to get child care, that she feels is appropriate.  And, it’s sad because this shouldn’t be an issue that’s pitched the way I’ve seen it pitched today… There are many children that don’t have the opportunities and the luxuries to be able to grow up and take advantage of those opportunities the way this child should have.  And, frankly the way Mr. Iguodala’s other child has.”

How have you tried to settle this prior to the suit?

“I had forwarded, without getting in to details of settlement proposals Mike because we just can’t do that, a very, very detailed settlement proposal, along with an invitation, come on, let’s sit down.  And, I was met with no counter offer, no counter proposal of any kind.  We have been asking inclusion in to the NBA Medical Insurance plan for this child, we’re told it is happened, we’ve never received cards or anything.  My client is still on Medicaid… This is his child, he now acknowledges that it’s his child… The bottom line is it’s seven weeks later, how long do you wait?”

Listen to Richard Klein on 950 ESPN in Phildelphia with Mike Missanelli

Tags: Andre Iguodala, Basketball, NBA, Philadelphia 76ers