Trial set for former NBA player in squatting case

A trial date has been set for a former NBA All-Star accused of squatting in a Paradise Valley home and then trying to list the place for rent on Craigslist.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said Wednesday that Chris Gatling has pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft and forgery, one count of taking the identity of another and one count of fraud.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 7, according to Jerry Cobb, a spokesman for the attorney's office. The trial will be Aug. 8

Gatling was accused of breaking into a key box and living in the home for nearly a year. A police report says the homeowners lived in California but had left the power on.

Gatling's attorney, Michael Alarid, has said the case is a misunderstanding. He has not been willing to elaborate.

The 45-year-old Gatling averaged 10.3 points in 11 seasons with Golden State, Miami, Dallas, New Jersey, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Denver and Cleveland.