The Donald Sterling scandal has claimed collateral damage: the president of the NAACP's Los Angeles chapter. Leon Jenkins resigned Thursday, after the civil rights group came under fire for its plans to present a lifetime achievement award to the Los Angeles Clippers owner. Meanwhile on Friday, Sterling's purported girlfriend said through her attorney she was merely a platonic friend, with no sexual relationship with the NBA team owner. Sterling is accused of making racist comments against African-Americans in an audio recording that surfaced last weekend that purportedly depict an argument between Sterling and V. Stiviano. On Friday, Sterling was quoted on DuJour.com as saying "I wish I had just paid her off" in reference to Stiviano. The site, which specified that Sterling was referring to Stiviano in a discussion with one of its writers, didn't state when the remark was made.Former tenant of Sterling's likens him to "a plantation owner"Publication: Sterling on his purported girlfriend: "I wish I had just paid her off"The woman claims she was merely a platonic friend of Sterling's, attorney saysL.A. NAACP leader resigns due to "negative exposure" over plan to honor Sterling
"Please be advised that the legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency," _ said, in announcing his resignation. Earlier this week, the _'s commissioner came down hard on Sterling, ordering him out of his team's business and pushing to force him to sell over the remarks that caused a firestorm since becoming public last weekend. _ doesn't have a book deal connected to the Sterling controversy, Nehoray said. _ fought back, saying in another court document that there was nothing wrong with Donald Sterling giving her gifts.