Allege NBA star violated lease
A homeowner who sued James Harden and others over a contractual dispute related to a Beverly Hills mansion the NBA star leased in 2019 won a round in court this month when a judge ruled the Philadelphia 76ers guard was properly served with the summons.
George Santopieto’s suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2019, states that Harden paid $82,200 to stay for a week at the home contingent on him not having more than seven guests. But Harden had multiple parties during the lease term in which he hosted more than 15 people, the property was damaged during his stay and Santopieto’s relationship with the homeowners association was negatively affected, according to his court papers.
In the Aug. 22 ruling, Judge Michael Linfield, newly assigned to the case, denied Harden’s fifth claim to squash the summons of service in the case. Harden had been granted the latest such motion earlier this year.
“Unlike the proof of substitute service from earlier this year, plaintiff located (Harden’s) home address in Pennsylvania and served the security guard at his home, which clearly meets close and enduring relationship standard,” Linfield wrote.
Trial of Santopietro’s case is scheduled for July 29, 2024.
Harden requested a trade in late June and said he prefers to be sent to the Los Angeles Clippers. His public trade demands prompted the NBA to fine him $100,000, and he has called 76ers team president of basketball operations Daryl Morey “a liar.”
Harden attended Artesia High School in Lakewood and led the team to two state titles. He is the highest all-time left-handed scorer in NBA history.
