Frank McCourt, Bud Selig summoned to testify under oath

Frank McCourt and Bud Selig summoned each other to testify under oath, and Selig demanded McCourt reinstate Major League Baseball’s appointed Dodgers’ trustee — a precursor to a court fight over interim control of the team.

So went the latest chapter of the acrimonious bankruptcy battle between the Dodgers owner and the commissioner of baseball.

In a court filing late Thursday, attorneys for McCourt set depositions for Selig and six other current or former baseball executives during the week of the MLB All-Star game, which will be played July 12 in Phoenix. On Friday, attorneys for Selig set depositions during the same week for McCourt and Jeff Ingram, the Dodgers’ financial expert. The dates are subject to change.

For McCourt’s lawyers, the depositions provide the chance to get sworn testimony to two critical questions — first, how MLB approved the Dodgers’ annual rent payments and structure of interlocking entities to which the league now objects; second, how MLB devised and implemented what McCourt has said is an MLB investigation with a “predetermined” outcome of ousting him from ownership, including the appointment of Tom Schieffer to monitor the Dodgers’ finances.

In a letter dated June 3 and obtained by The Times, McCourt attorney Robert Sacks wrote to an MLB attorney: “We have reason to believe that the ‘monitor’ and members of his staff have an interest in seeing MLB attempt to take control of the Dodgers from Mr. McCourt.”

Sacks asked for written confirmation that MLB had not spoken to Schieffer or any member of his staff about a continuing role with the Dodgers; about acquiring an interest in the Dodgers or any other major league club; or had received or been promised compensation or benefits that depend on the outcome of their investigation or activities connected to the team.

In response, MLB dismissed those suggestions as “baseless,” according to a person who had seen the reply letter.

Dan Schechter, professor of bankruptcy law at Loyola Law School, said McCourt would be trying to establish that the court should not let MLB run the team during bankruptcy because the league had an “ulterior motive besides the alleged well-being of MLB.”

In a separate letter sent Thursday, the league demanded the Dodgers let Schieffer resume his job. The team’s refusal to do so, attorney Thomas Lauria wrote, was a violation of the MLB constitution.

Dodgers attorney Sidney Levinson declined to comment Friday.

The Dodgers think bankruptcy law overrides the league constitution with regard to Schieffer’s appointment, which could lead to a showdown on the issue in bankruptcy court. The league does not think bankruptcy law permits McCourt to benefit from certain league rules while failing to comply with others.

In his letter, Lauria demanded the team provide Schieffer with “immediate access to the club’s facilities and employees.” Schieffer has not worked at Dodger Stadium since Monday’s bankruptcy filing.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com

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