Donald Sterling accused of racial bias before, always denied it

A recording that purports to show Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist comments has generated swift condemnations.

The Clippers have also responded, saying Sterling is not a racist.

It’s not the first time Sterling has been the subject of criticism over racial issues.

Sterling is known for his various charity events that have benefited organizations that help the needy, including nonprofits serving the local Latino and African American communities. The Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP had been scheduled to give Sterling the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award at its May 15 banquet at the Biltmore Hotel.

But there have also been accusations against him. He has strongly denied he’s biased toward anyone and has pointed to his charitable work.

Here is a rundown:

ELGIN BAYLOR LAWSUIT

A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury rejected NBA great Elgin Baylor’s wrongful-termination lawsuit against the Clippers. Baylor claimed he was harassed and subjected to age discrimination leading to his 2008 departure after 22 years as a Clippers executive. When Baylor filed the suit in February 2009, he alleged that a racist culture existed at the Clippers. Baylor called it a “plantation mentality” in a deposition and alleged that Sterling rejected a coaching candidate, Jim Brewer, because he was black. But Baylor in 2011 dropped the race allegations from his suit.

$2.7-MILLION FEDERAL SETTLEMENT

Sterling and his wife, Rochelle, agreed to pay a record settlement of more than $2.7 million regarding allegations that they discriminated against African Americans, Latinos and families with children at scores of apartment buildings they own in and around Los Angeles. The settlement was the largest ever obtained by the Justice Department in a housing discrimination case involving apartment rentals, officials said. Under the agreement, the Sterlings’ insurers would pay $2.625 million to a fund for people who were allegedly harmed by their discriminatory practices, officials said. Sterling’s attorney at the time said his client denied any wrongdoing and didn’t discriminate.