June 14–Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on Friday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought against him by a retired Seattle scientist who claims the billionaire promised to pay a debt on a friend’s behalf.
Thomas Bukowski last month added Ballmer to a lawsuit he’d filed against former Sonics trainer Steve Gordon. The suit claimed that Gordon, known as the “Hat Man,” owes Bukowski $3 million on a business deal and that Ballmer had pledged in an email last summer to pay it back, along with a group of other debts.
But Ballmer severed ties with Gordon last July after initially helping him repay one $50,000 debt.
The motion to dismiss the lawsuit states that Bukowski’s complaint “alleges nothing more than a promise by Ballmer to consider providing financial assistance to Gordon” and is not a claimed agreement to follow through. According to the motion, Ballmer told Gordon he’d have to seek treatment for depression at a Texas psychiatric hospital called the Menninger Clinic before he’d consider helping him.
Ballmer flew Gordon there last June on his private jet and paid for a six-week stay.
Earlier this month, Ballmer made headlines with a $2 billion purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers from embattled owner Donald Sterling.
Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.
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