James Harden hires Rusty Hardin for deposition

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - High-scoring Houston Rockets guard James Harden has hired high-profile attorney Rusty Hardin to guide him through a deposition scheduled for December, FOX 26 News has learned.

A subpoena was issued to Harden to testify in a lawsuit that Moses Malone Jr. has filed against the once-popular V Live Vintage SteakHouse bikini bar on Richmond Avenue, which has since closed. In that lawsuit, Malone Jr., the son of former NBA Most Valuable Player Moses Malone, says he was assaulted outside of the nightclub in June by four men who also robbed him. 

Why is Harden being questioned in this civil case? Because Malone maintains he was attacked by the men because of a negative Facebook post he wrote that criticized Harden. 

Attorney Hardin said by phone on Friday that his client Harden had nothing to do with it. He also said that Harden was not outside of V Live Vintage SteakHouse when the attack took place. Hardin adds that he believes Harden was inside the nightclub. The deposition is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Texas Comptroller's Office investigators and Houston police shut down V Live Vintage SteakHouse on Wednesday because of unpaid taxes.