Legends decease but the legacy is immortal. This is the case with one of the most decorated basketball players Kobe Bryant. In January 2020, Kobe was with his daughter Gianna Maria Bryant. The five-time NBA champion was traveling to Thousand Oaks, California to attend a practice session for daughter and her teams tournament. Unfortunately, the plane crashed taking their lives and that of seven others. When it comes to celebrities, we somehow forget the boundaries and that they are humans despite their unreachability. Vanessa Bryant, his wife took it to court when there was a gross violation of then family’s privacy.
After the unfortunate accident took place, the first responders i.e., the Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff’s office came there for the investigation. During their investigation, they started clicking pictures unwarranted. When Bryant came to know about this through a Los Angeles Times article, she immediately took action and filed a lawsuit against them. Luis Li was defending the plaintiff. In August 2022, she was awarded $15 million after a jury deliberation and now the philanthropist has completely settled the lawsuit with $28.5 million monetary compensation.
Vanessa Bryant And Co-Plaintiff Christopher Chester Got Monetary Compensation
It has been three years since the sports world lost one of the greatest basketball players in an unfortunate accident. However, certain people marred the mourning and grief of the families who lost their loved ones in the helicopter crash.
The Los Angeles Times, in February 2020, reported that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officers have clicked and shared pictures around. The pictures clicked were not a part of the investigation. When Vanessa Bryant came to know about this, she filed a lawsuit against the deputies.
After almost three years, the lawsuit is settled, and LA Lakers player’s wife and children will be compensated with $28.85 million. Luis Li, the plaintiff’s lawyer stated, “Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct.” During the 2022 trial, Li showed a clip where one of the deputies was showing pictures from the site in a local bar.
Luis continued, “She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice.” Along with Vanessa, Christopher Chester, who lost his daughter Peyton and wife Sarah, was compensated with $19.95 million.
In Case You Missed: What Was The Vanessa Bryant And Meek Mill Controversy?
The Widow Will Donate Some Amount From The Compensation To Charity
It was when Kobe Bryant was going to coach ‘The Mamba Sports Academy’ members at Thousand Oaks along with his daughter, the plane crashed. Kobe founded the organization in 2018 along with Chad Faulkner. Along with this, he founded ‘The Mamba Sports Foundation’ in 2016 to help underserved athletes and children.
After the jury deliberation in August 2022, the philanthropist decided to donate the compensation to the foundation. After Kobe and his daughter Giana’s death, they renamed the foundation to ‘Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation’. Bryant’s nickname was ‘Black Mamba’, so he named the foundation accordingly. So, she will donate the $15 million she received to the foundation who is working tirelessly towards their noble mission.
You Might Also Like To Read: Vanessa Bryant Announces Her Partnership With Nike For Kobe Sneakers
