In 2009, with the NBA in the headwinds …

In 2009, with the NBA in the headwinds of the global recession and rumors of a Kings relocation swirling, Jeff David was a man with growing concerns. Then Sacramento’s vice president of corporate partnerships, David feared he’d have to make ends meet as a private sports marketing consultant. Motivated by such prospects, he’d set up a private entity — Sacramento Sports Partners. In its nine years of existence, SSP never undertook any consultancy work. But it did ultimately prove useful.

The Kings had given David an autonomy …

The Kings had given David an autonomy he could exploit. He had launched the first in a series of grifts that would grow from thousands to millions of dollars. It was audacious and, in David’s mind, airtight. And in more than two dozen interviews, colleagues, friends, neighbors, family, law enforcement and Sacramento businesspeople could offer no explanation as to why he did it. When asked for the motivation behind the theft, David, years later, gives no unified theory. “Curiosity? Stupidity?”

The mutual trust between David and the …

The mutual trust between David and the sponsors was unassailable — enough to even navigate a snafu that could have derailed his entire scheme. When Golden 1 remitted its first scheduled annual payment, it did so to SSP — not the Kings. Like a bank thief tossing away a dye pack, David reached out to Golden 1 and explained that SSP was the account reserved for finalizing construction of the arena. He promptly returned the $6 million and instructed Golden 1 to wire the funds to the Kings’ primary account. “I knew how the Kings operated,” David says. “I knew how these other companies operated. We had an arrangement and we agreed upon it, then everyone moved on.” Less than four years after siphoning off $30,000 in courtside signage, David had now stolen $13.4 million from the Kings and their top corporate partners.

Alex Spiro, Kurucs’ lawyer, and a …

Alex Spiro, Kurucs’ lawyer, and a prosecutor discussed with Ward the evidence that has been presented in the case. His side noted that there are no recordings of 911 calls associated with the alleged domestic violence incident, nor are there associated photos or witnesses. “Sir, I want to remind you that the order of protection remains in effect … do you understand?” Ward said to Kurucs as the hearing ended. “Yes,” he replied.