Federal judge rejects Kobe Bryant’s request to dismiss lawsuit against him in memorabilia case

A federal judge on Friday rejected Kobe Bryant’s request to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him by a New Jersey-based auction house that wants to sell more than 100 pieces of memorabilia from his high school days and early pro career with the Lakers, as initially reported by the Courier-Post.

U.S. District Judge Renee Bumb also maintained Bryant’s pending trial on June 17 will happen in Camden, N.J. and not in California as the Lakers’ star wished. According to court papers, Goldin Auctions gave Bryant’s mother, Pamela, a $450,000 advance to sell Bryant’s various mementos, which has included various jerseys, rings and trophies. Pamela is then reported to have used the advance to purchase a house in Las Vegas.

Bryant also filed a lawsuit, currently pending in federal court in California, that seeks to block the auction. He’s said in court papers he never gave Pamela permission to sell the items. Those included two championship rings he gave his parents after the Lakers won the 2000 NBA title, a signed Lakers basketball, his 1996 Pennsylvania high school championship ring and sweatsuits he wore at Lower Merion High, a suburban school outside Philadelphia. The auction list also included Bryant’s high school jerseys and a 1999 Teen Choice Awards trophy.

Bryant’s mother, Pamela, and father, Joe, filed statements in federal court suggesting that their son lied that he never game them permission to sell the items. Pamela insisted sworn statements from Kobe and his wife, Vanessa “contained many false statements.” Bryant’s father, Joe, and grandmother, Mildred Cox, have supported Pamela’s claim.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com