Los Angeles will have to pay nearly $29 million to Kobe Bryant's family
Judge sentences the county for leaking images of the bodies of the former basketball player and his daughter Gianna.
(Cordon Press)
Los Angeles County will have to compensate Kobe Bryant's family $28.85 million for leaking photographs of the helicopter crash that killed the former basketball player, his daughter Gianna and seven other people on Jan. 26, 2020.
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's wife, filed an invasion of privacy lawsuit against Los Angeles County in August 2022, just days after learning the images had been leaked. Investigators released photographs of her husband and daughter's bodies to employees of the county sheriff's and fire departments and family members, among others.
Following the trial, the county was ordered to pay $15 million to Vanessa Bryant and her daughters plus nearly $14 million in additional funds for the complainants to settle potential claims.
In addition, the jury found that Los Angeles County must also compensate Chris Chester, the husband and father of two of the other victims, nearly $20 million. The families of the other victims have already received $1.25 million each.
Vanessa Bryant’s attorney, Luis Li, assured that his client was only seeking "accountability.” He added that the family will donate all the money to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, the non-profit organization run by the Bryant family that helps athletes who come from low income families.
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