According to a new report by the Los Angeles Times, Kobe Bryant told investigators that other NBA players had paid money to women in similar situations like his, and a name he mentioned was Shaquille O'Neal.

O'Neal was informed of the comment last September, about two weeks before Laker training camp opened in Hawaii, when prosecution investigators made an unsuccessful attempt to question him. His agent, Perry Rogers, said Tuesday that the allegation in Bryant's statement was untrue and "undeserving of a response."

"Bryant made a comment to us about what another teammate does in situations like these," Detective Doug Winters wrote. "Bryant stated he should have done what Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) does. Bryant stated that Shaq would pay his women not to say anything. He stated Shaq has paid up to a million dollars already for situations like this. He stated he, Bryant, treats a woman with respect, therefore they shouldn't say anything."

The reference was first reported by Sports Illustrated, which did not name O'Neal.