The sheriff's deputy who is suing Masai Ujiri was previously convicted of insurance fraud

Shortly after the Toronto Raptors won their first ever NBA championship, team president Masai Ujiri was recorded in a minor altercation with an Oakland sheriff's deputy. The deputy blocked Ujiri from the court, and Ujiri responded with a shove.

#BREAKING: Sheriff's deputy reportedly pushed and struck in the face by a man believed to be a Toronto Raptors executive after Game 6 of the #NBAFinals at Oracle Arena, @ACSOSheriffs says. https://t.co/fobdK9iWEq pic.twitter.com/a4X0IysY5Z — Kristofer Noceda (@krisnoceda) June 14, 2019

Last month, the deputy filed a civil lawsuit against Ujiri alleging assault and battery, which Ujiri and the Raptors have pushed back on. No criminal charges were filed by police against Ujiri after the incident last year.

A new report by KTVU FOX 2 reveals that the deputy in question, named Alan Strickland, was previously convicted of insurance fraud. San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe provided this synopsis of the case to KTVU:

“On Oct. 15, 2005, San Mateo police called the DA’s office to advise Strickland was a candidate for police officer. He admitted to ‘mal mish’ (malicious mischief) (sic) his vehicle in 1994. Apparently he was upset that they raised his premiums due to his not being candid re: mileage so he decided to make that up by slashing his tires and damaging his vehicle.”

The report notes that the Raptors’ attorneys will likely note this incident in their defence of Ujiri.

Ujiri discussed the lawsuit with reporters last month, describing it as "malicious."

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri on the civil lawsuit filed against him by an Oakland police officer over incident following last year’s NBA championship-winning game. pic.twitter.com/Z00rpuWYSZ — Glen McGregor (@glen_mcgregor) February 12, 2020

h/t KTVU FOX 2