Gina Strum, a former executive with Lasry’s private equity firm, alleges sexual misconduct, retaliation, and a smear campaign.
In a troubling development, former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry was sued by Gina Strum for $100 million based on allegations of sexual misconduct, retaliation, and a smear campaign:
Ex-Bucks owner Marc Lasry subject of sexual misconduct suit reut.rs/4iSLzt6
The link above provides a statement from Roth Law Firm, which is representing Strum in the case, for those interested in the details. It’s harrowing stuff that is hard to summarize, but it paints a pattern of alleged predation over many years. Although not part of the legal claims, it even includes an incident involving a night out with former President Bill Clinton’s inner circle, a noted friend of the Lasry’s who has been the owners’ courtside guest at Bucks games in the past.
Strum is a former executive and attorney at Avenue Capital Group, the private equity firm that Lasry co-founded with his sister Sonia Gardner. Lasry was sued alongside Avenue (where he is CEO) and Gardner. After Strum had filed an initial version of the lawsuit in October 2024, Lasry, Gardner, and Avenue filed a defamation lawsuit in response based on allegations of harassment and blackmail. Lasry’s representatives refute the claims in the lawsuit.
Lasry was a co-owner of the Bucks from 2014 to 2023. He purchased the team from Herb Kohl with Wes Edens and sold his 25% stake in the team to Dee and Jimmy Haslam. During his tenure, the Bucks won the 2021 NBA Championship, their first in 50 years. Incidents in the lawsuit occurred during his tenure as co-owner, but they appeared to occur within Avenue rather than the Bucks organization. He filed the defamation lawsuit only a year after selling his stake, but it seems unlikely that this case contributed to his departure from the Bucks.