V. Stiviano, the woman heard on recordings speaking to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling when he made the racist comments that earned him a lifetime ban from the NBA, is now the subject of a criminal probe, according to reports.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office is investigating accusations that Stiviano sought money from Sterling to stop her from releasing more recordings, sources told KABC in Los Angeles. Someone linked to Sterling went to the DA's office to make the blackmail accusation, the source said.
In addition, KABC is reporting that Sterling's estranged wife, Rochelle, could become a witness in the investigation.
The investigation was first reported by TMZ, which says Stiviano claims to have 100 hours of recordings of her conversations with Sterling.
The 31-year-old assistant, confidant and "silly rabbit" to Sterling made similar remarks in an interview with ABC's Barbara Walters last week.
“There’s been a number of occasions where Mr. Sterling and I had conversations just like this one. This was one of very many,” she said. “Part of what the world heard was only 15 minutes. There’s a number of other hours that the world doesn’t know.”
Stiviano's attorney has denied she leaked the recordings that set off the scandal, saying a friend did it without her permission.