Part 5/13:
In November 2025, the situation took a dramatic turn when eleven former Aspiration investors filed an amended civil complaint, publicly naming Steve Balmer as a defendant. They weren't merely seeking financial reparations for their losses; they alleged that Balmer actively participated in, and facilitated, a scheme to pay Kawhi Leonard through secret channels to evade NBA salary cap restrictions.
Most damaging was the claim that Balmer transferred significant sums to sustain Aspiration and to buy mandatory silence from Sandberg about the hidden payments. The lawsuit accuses Balmer not just of financial deception but also of conspiracy and obstruction, which could carry criminal charges.