LA Clippers announcer denies theft charge

SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- An announcer for the NBA Los Angeles Clippers entered a not guilty plea Thursday to charges he cheated a longtime friend of $735,000.

Prosecutors say Michael John Smith, 44, of Laguna Hills committed theft by false pretenses, The Orange County (Calif.) Register reported. He was arraigned Thursday in Orange County Superior Court.

Dyke Huish, Smith's lawyer, said his client's plan to build three houses in Dana Point would have been profitable if the real estate market had not collapsed. He said Smith and his business partner and co-defendant, Bruce Howard Furst, 57, believed all three would make money.

"He wants to pay it back. He intends to pay it back," Huish said. "This was a business deal, not a crime."

Smith allegedly persuaded the former teacher -- a 65-year-old man who has been identified only as William S. -- to put up his home as collateral for a loan for the project, which was never completed.

Prosecutors said Smith and Furst assured the man his loan was guaranteed. The alleged victim, who authorities said has an inoperable brain tumor, stands to lose his home, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 5. Prosecutors said they plan to do a conditional examination of the victim the same day to get his testimony.

Smith worked Wednesday night's game between the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.