Ortiz Suing California Jeweler For Selling Him Imitation Jewelry
BOSTON (CBS) -- David Ortiz is a man who likes to rock the bling before and after games. But it turns out, some of that bling may not have been as fancy as it looked.
Read: The Ortiz Complaint (.pdf)
Ortiz is accusing a California jeweler of fraud, breach of contract and other violations stemming from a 2010 purchase, according to a complain filed in Middlesex Superior Court October 30. Ortiz bought numerous items from Randy Hamida of Anaheim, but when he had the items appraised they were found to be "imitation or low-quality metal and gemstones."
Ortiz's purchases included a Breitling watch with diamonds and white and yellow gold, a diamond bracelet, a set of black diamond earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet, according to the civil suit.
Ortiz's lawyer told the Boston Globe that the lawsuit is a last resort for the Red Sox slugger.
"David doesn't buy jewelry, or buy anything, from just anybody. And he trusted Mr. Hamida," Jonathan M. Davidoff told The Globe. "This was a last resort for David. David didn't want to sue. But also, David doesn't want to be taken advantage of. And professional athletes are targets, unfortunately.
"When he realized that the jewelry was not authentic, and not what Mr. Hamida purported it to be, he very nicely said, 'Make good on it,' with the big David Ortiz smile," Davidoff said. "Mr. Hamida gave him a song and dance, and that's why this ended up in litigation."
According to the suit, Hamida presents himself as a luxury jewelry dealer who targets professional athletes. Ortiz made the purchases in October 2010, when Hamida presented him with "allegedly custom-designed jewelry of the highest quality gold, diamonds, and other precious gemstones," according to the suit. Ortiz paid Hamida with an $80,000 check and about $47,000 worth of his own jewelry.
After discovering the jewelry was worth well below what he paid, Ortiz reached out to Hamida, who tried to avoid the Boston DH, according to the suit. They met in 2011 when the Red Sox were in Anaheim, and Hamida promised a full refund and to return one of Ortiz's necklaces that he traded in for the imitation jewelry.
But Hamida failed to pay, according to the suit, and when Ortiz confronted him again, Hamida apologized and said he needed until the end of 2011 to pay him back. Ortiz returned the jewelry at the end of 2011 so Hamida could sell it off and pay him back, with the promise that his necklace and money would be returned, but Hamida still has not paid Ortiz back, according to the suit.
The suit also alleges that Ortiz learned from other players around the league that Hamida "has a history of conducting himself in this manner."
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