Cavs’ Koby Altman Pleads Not Guilty to OVI, Due Back in Court Next Week

CLEVELAND — The attorney for Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman entered a not guilty plea on Altman’s behalf during an appearance in Cleveland Municipal Court on Tuesday morning.

Altman is scheduled to be back in court on OVI charges on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

This all follows Altman’s arrest on Friday (Sept. 15) after he was stopped by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers at 8:53 p.m. for allegedly displaying signs of impairment while driving a 2022 Lexus. He was also cited for a marked lanes violation.

The Cavs released a statement the following day.

“We are aware of an incident involving Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman,” it read. “We are currently gathering more information and have no further comment at this time.”

According to a statement from patrol officials, after being pulled over “the driver indicators of impairment were observed. The driver was subsequently placed under arrest for OVI and soon after offered a breath test which he refused.”

Altman, 41, was then charged with “committing a marked lanes violation and OVI,” officials said, adding that he was “respectful and cooperative with troopers” during the incident.

The Cavs promoted Altman to general manager in 2017 before naming him president of basketball operations in 2022. Cleveland finished 51-31 and in second place in the Central Division last season, as well as fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Altman is a native of Brooklyn and played at Middlebury College before becoming an assistant coach with Amherst College, Southern Illinois (graduate assistant) and Columbia. He joined the Cavs’ front office in 2012.