Shaquille O'Neal Questioned in Kidnapping, Robbery Case

He's one of the most well-known pro basketball players in the history of the game, and now Shaquille O'neal is gaining publicity of a different kind - as he has been questioned in a criminal case involving kidnapping and robbery.

According to TMZ reports, on the night of February 11, 2008, a friend of Shaq's named Ladell Rowles (who's allegedly a member of the L.A. Main street Mafia Crip Gang) sought out Robert Ross in an effort to seek and destroy an alleged sex tape he had of Shaq.

The victim had supposedly stated that he had video footage of the former Lakers star engaging in sexual acts with other women while he was married to now-ex-wife Shaunie.

As the police report told, the seven gang members met Robert at Pink Dot convenience store on the Sunset Strip, where they allegedly surrounded his car with guns drawn before jumping into the vehicle and ordering him to drive to Ladell's house.

Upon arrival, Rowle's allegedly pistol whipped Ross and demanded that he hand over the intimate tape - then stripped him of his a diamond chain, earrings, a Rolex, and $15,000 cash.

Each gang member has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and robbery, among other crimes.

As the accused are currently in the middle of an in-jail preliminary hearing, LAPD detectives have interviewed O'Neal to determine what, if any, involvement he had in this case.

According to the Daily Mail, Shaq and Ross have a complicated personal history. At one point the victim had claimed that the basketball star would go to his home to sleep with other women while he was married to Shaunie.

A security camera was said to have caught the action on tape, though Ross insists the tape has since been recycled.

Shaquille O'Neal first made headlines earlier this month when he announced his plans to retire from professional basketball.

After tweeting the message "I'm retiring", the 39-year-old NBA star posted a video that showed him sitting down at an office desk as he addressed the camera. "We did it. 19 years, baby. I want to thank you very much," he said. "That's why I'm telling you first that I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon."

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