Cowboys' Bryant Faces Lawsuit Over Allegedly Trashed House
SCHUYLER DIXON, AP Sports Writer
DALLAS (AP) — Dez Bryant faces a lawsuit from his former landlord over allegations of more than $60,000 in damages to a house that the Dallas Cowboys receiver leased.
The civil suit was filed last week by Texas state Sen. Royce West, an attorney who defended Bryant in a domestic violence case involving the 2014 All-Pro's mother. West seeks damages of between $100,000 and $200,000.
In the filing, West's attorneys say Bryant and his representatives refused to respond to requests for reimbursement, and that an attorney representing Bryant threatened West with a lawsuit if he continued to try to collect.
The lawsuit says the 6,400-square-foot home in the Dallas suburb of DeSoto needed extensive repairs and cleaning. West's lawsuit also said Bryant didn't show up for a walk-through to detail the damages.
"The walk-through revealed irreparable damage to carpeting, flooring, window, shutters, and blinds; the presence of animal feces, trash, debris, and personal property inside the residence; and distinct and pervasive odors throughout," the lawsuit said.
Bryant's agent, Kim Miale, didn't respond to an email request for comment. West didn't respond to a message seeking further comment.
When Bryant was in and out of trouble off the field early in his career, West was one of the people trying to help him.
The longtime state senator worked a deal with Dallas County prosecutors that led to the dismissal of a misdemeanor family violence charge over Bryant allegedly hitting his mother, Angela Bryant, in the face with a ball cap. Bryant agreed to a year of anger management classes.
West also represented Bryant in 2011 when the young receiver, a year after getting drafted late in the first round, faced a pair of lawsuits seeking nearly $1 million over unpaid jewelry bills.
Bryant has stayed out of legal trouble since the incident with his mom in 2012.
The seventh-year pro had his best season in 2014, with 1,320 yards receiving and an NFL-leading 16 touchdowns to help the Cowboys win the NFC East and reach the divisional round of the playoffs before a loss to Green Bay that turned on his much-debated catch that wasn't.
After signing a five-year, $70 million contract, Bryant missed seven games last season after breaking his foot in the season opener as Dallas sunk to the bottom of the division at 4-12. He had career lows with 31 catches for 401 yards with three touchdowns.
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