Thursday, August 22, 1996
Irvin returns vehicle, still being sued for
$1.4 million
By MADELINE BARO
Associated Press
(August 22, 1996)
DALLAS - Michael Irvin's attorney agreed on Wednesday to have
him return a $50,000 sport utility vehicle, but a group of auto
dealers still wants another $1.4 million from the Dallas Cowboys
receiver.
The North Texas Toyota Dealers Association sued Irvin Tuesday
for damages, contending Irvin violated deceptive-trade laws when
he signed an endorsement contract misrepresenting himself as
a moral person.
On Wednesday, state District Judge Candace Tyson gave Irvin and
the auto dealers one week to negotiate a settlement. Otherwise,
the case goes to trial March 10.
The dealers had to scrap their spring ad campaign featuring Irvin
when police found him, a former teammate and two topless dancers
in an Irving motel room on March 4, along with marijuana, cocaine
and drug paraphernalia.
"We don't think he's entitled to any compensation because
he didn't disclose to us his immoral lifestyle," said Larry
Friedman, attorney for the dealers' group.
"If we can't settle the case in the next week, we will be
taking depositions of some of the members of the Cowboys team
in order to develop the facts of the case," he added.
The lawsuit seeks $1.2 million for lost sales and $200,000 in
production costs.
At Wednesday's hearing, Friedman requested the return of a Toyota
Land Cruiser the group lent Irvin as part of the contract. Chris
Frederiksen, Irvin's attorney, agreed to return the vehicle by
early afternoon. Irvin did not appear in court.
Frederiksen said Irvin didn't believe the dispute would lead
to litigation.
"He was not expecting that Toyota would rush him to the
courthouse to file a lawsuit," Frederiksen said.
Last month, Irvin pleaded no contest to a felony cocaine possession
charge. He was sentenced to four years' deferred adjudication,
fined $10,000 and ordered to perform 800 hours of community service.
The NFL suspended him for the season's first five games for the
drug violation.
All content copyright 1996, AP, The Abilene
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