A-Rod's former brother-in-law files $100 million civil suit against him
Alex Rodriguez's former brother-in-law Constantine Scurtis filed a $100 million civil lawsuit against him Wednesday.
According to the New York Daily News, the Yankees' star used his joint business venture with Scurtis, who is Rodriguez's ex-wife Cynthia's younger brother, to commit insurance and real estate fraud after Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Scurtis, who asserts that Rodriguez “wrongfully” forced him out of their company during his divorce from Cynthia in 2008, also said the three-time MVP recently filed a false tax return that created a $388,000 lien from the IRS on Scurtis' Miami home.
Scurtis' 12-count complaint was filed in Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County on Wednesday, which condemned Rodriguez for breach of contract and fiduciary duty, fraud, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment and tortious interference. An injunction was also filed to prevent the Yankees' designated hitter from transferring assets in an effort to avoid judgment.
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Scurtis originally filed a complaint against Rodriguez in December, to which Rodriguez's lawyers filed a sham pleading motion in May in response.
Rodriguez's lawyers said, “We viewed Mr. Scurtis' allegations in the original complaint as frivolous, moved to strike that complaint as sham and intend to respond to his amended complaint accordingly.”
In a text message to Scurtis in 2008, however, Rodriguez admitted he had handled their business dealings incorrectly.
“Taki, I am sorry things Went down this way,” Rodriguez said. “I have the utmost Respect for you and Have a lot a lot of Love for you. I know I handled your Deal wrongly. I hope to have a long Calm, loving discussion Over lunch. Me and you alone. I also, do not believe This is the end for us.”
A hearing for the case is scheduled for Sept. 1 in Circuit Court.
- Kayla Lombardo
