Antonio Brown Says He Was Ambushed in Court Battle, Fires Back At 'Belligerent' Allegations
By Ryan Naumann on October 7, 2019 at 10:36 AM EDT
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Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown is responding to his former landlord’s accusations he was “disorderly” during a court deposition.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Brown says he was ready to be deposed when he showed up to court on September 24. He is battling his former landlord in court over a luxury Miami rental.
Once he arrived, Brown says he was ambushed by countless media outlets waiting for him. He accuses his former landlord of calling everyone beforehand to tip them off.
He accuses the landlord and his lawyer of including scandalous allegations in court documents to “provide media fodder” and to use “Defendant’s celebrity to build a name for himself and his legal practice.”
Brown says, “Plaintiff’s counsel has attempted to turn this matter into a media circus for his own personal gain.” The ex-NFL star denies showing up late to the deposition or that he was acting out.
He claims his ex-landlord and his legal team’s “selfish and improper acts played a significant role in railroading Defendant’s deposition from the outset.” Brown accuses them of leaking video of him to the press.
Brown says they utilized “other underhanded tactics, all for the purpose of ambushing Defendant, to capitalize on moments for publicity and litigate this matter through public perception as opposed to upon its merits.”
He says he will sit for a second deposition but wants a gag order put in place.
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Last week, Brown’s former landlord accused the ex-NFL star of being “belligerent” during a court deposition.
The landlord demanded the court order Brown to sit for a second deposition, due to him walking out of the first.
In court documents, the landlord claims Brown was “extremely noncompliant and flagrantly disorderly.” He says his “shameful behavior” warrants an order requiring him to sit for another deposition and sanctions.
The landlord says the trouble started when Brown showed up 30 minutes late. Brown allegedly began texting during the deposition and refused to listen to his own lawyers. The landlord says the deposition ended at noon when Brown “walked out.”
The landlord says, “Defendants tumultuous tirades, defiant rants, use of profane language and refusal to comport himself in a civilized and grown-up manner” also warrants a special master to preside over the second deposition.
He is demanding Brown be hit with $10,000 in sanctions. A judge has yet to rule.
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Last year, Brown was sued by his landlord, Aqualina 1402 LLC, who leased him a $7 million oceanfront Miami condo.
The NFL star leased the luxury condo starting in February 2018. The home was furnished with “high end custom furniture such as leather couches. Silk fabric covered sofas and top of the line appliances.”
The landlord accuses Brown of leaving the home in severe damage. He said the NFL star breached the lease by “destroying, damaging, defacing the premises, as well as furnishings, appliances and other personal belongings” of the owner.
The owner said they had to spend a substantial amount on repairs. He claimed Brown refused to pay up despite demands. He sued seeking unspecified damages.
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Brown fired back and countersued Aqualina 1402, along with the personal owner Vladimir Kirsanov.
He denies all allegations of wrongdoing and demanded the suit against him be dismissed.
Brown says any damages caused “are solely and completely attributable to Plaintiff’s own conduct.” He claims to have tried to give the landlord replacement furniture. Brown says the owner refused to let his team back into the home.
Brown said he paid all money owed on the lease, plus extra. He says he paid $140,250 to move in (three months’ rent, security deposit and a cleaning fee).
The NFL star moved out of the unit after “being the victim of a theft.” Brown sued demanding the return of his $35,000 deposit.
Brown recently rushed to court attempting to block his long-time sports agent from testifying in the case. A judge has yet to rule.
Both cases are still ongoing.
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Brown is dealing with a separate lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a personal trainer. The case was filed after his drama with the Oakland Raiders ended with the Patriots signing him, only for them to drop him last week.