NEW YORK (Diya TV) — The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers’ dealings with former star Kawhi Leonard, according to reports Thursday.

Federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York are leading the investigation. The inquiry is in its early stages, and its scope, targets and potential criminal violations have not been publicly disclosed. At least one subpoena has been issued, according to Reuters.

The investigation follows an NBA finding that the Clippers violated league salary-cap rules by arranging off-court income opportunities for Leonard through companies that did business with the team.

The NBA said the Clippers initiated and facilitated endorsement agreements between Leonard and Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. The league also found that the team offered business to companies in connection with some of the endorsement agreements and paid personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives.

The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million and stripped the franchise of five first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from league and team activities for one year. Leonard was ordered to pay the league $700,000.

The penalties followed an independent investigation conducted by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed that the penalties are final and binding.

Aspiration was involved in a $28 million endorsement agreement with Leonard. The company’s co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, was sentenced in June to 14 years in federal prison in a separate fraud case involving more than $248 million in losses.

Daktronics separately disclosed that the Securities and Exchange Commission and NBA had requested information concerning the company and Leonard. The company said it is cooperating.

The Clippers have denied criminal wrongdoing. The opening of a federal investigation does not mean charges will be filed.