Lawyers ask for order to cover some records

By Karen Abbott, Rocky Mountain News
December 7, 2004

Kobe Bryant's lawyers asked federal Judge Richard Matsch on Monday for an order keeping certain information confidential during a civil suit filed against him by an Eagle woman who claims the basketball star raped her.

The request came one day before Bryant was scheduled to be questioned under oath in California by the woman's legal team. His lawyers said in court documents they wanted the confidentiality order before that deposition today.

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They said they had been unable to reach agreement on the terms of such an order with lawyers for Katelyn Faber, who contends Bryant raped her during the summer of 2003 at a mountain resort where she worked and he was a guest.

Matsch was presiding over a trial on Monday and not expected to rule immediately.

Bryant's lawyers said they want an order keeping confidential such information as medical records, psychological records, financial records, the parties' sexual conduct and history "and other sensitive or confidential matters."

They also asked Matsch to limit the questions that Faber's lawyers can ask during Bryant's deposition.

"Plaintiff's counsel has indicated that he intends to depose Mr. Bryant on sexual matters having no possible relevance to the claims and defenses in this action," Bryant's lawyers said. "Mr. Bryant believes that such inquiry is improper, and accordingly seeks an order of this Court barring such improper inquiry."

Lawyers for the Los Angeles Lakers player also said they want Bryant deposed just once even if Faber files a parallel civil suit against him in state court in California.

Faber's lawyer, Lin Wood of Atlanta, has indicated that such a parallel suit is allowed by law and would avoid Colorado's caps on non-economic damages.

Faber filed her civil lawsuit against Bryant in Colorado U.S. District Court in August.

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