Police: Steelers' WR Antonio Brown Reported $80K, Gun Stolen From Florida Apartment
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with yet another off-field distraction involving one of its superstars. Wide receiver Antonio Brown is facing two lawsuits involving an incident at his Sunny Isles Beach high rise home in April.
There are two things to remember: lawsuits are by nature one-sided, and Brown and his attorney are not commenting.
That said, here are the bullet points of what has transpired and the claims being made in the lawsuits.
Antonio Brown leased a 14th floor, 4,600-square foot, $7.9 million, four-bedroom home in February for three months at a cost of $35,000 a month.
In April, he was gone for a couple of weeks and came home to find the residence had been cleaned without his authorization. He also called the Sunny Isles Beach Police and reported $80,000 in cash was stolen from a tote in his closet and a 9mm gun was also taken.
Security at The Mansions at Acqualina say they did get permission to let the cleaning crew in. Police questioned the cleaning crew, and all denied taking anything.
The following day, April 24, there was an altercation between Brown and building security at his unit. The lawsuits allege that during that altercation Brown threw two vases, a heavy ottoman, and other furniture off the balcony. One of those vases landed in the unoccupied hot tub.
KDKA's John Shumway Reports:
In his lawsuit, Ophir Sternberg says his 22-month-old son, Amnon, was walking near the swimming pool with his grandfather and just missed being hit.
Sternberg says in a statement: "Mr. Brown's out-of-control and inexcusable behavior could have killed my son. His reckless tantrum displayed complete disregard for the safety of others. We intend to hold Mr. Brown accountable, to hopefully ensure that something like this never happens again."
The condo board at The Mansions at Acqualina said Brown's behavior violated the condo rules and asked Brown to vacate.
Once Brown moved out, the landlord's attorney says the home had been severely damaged.
Attorney George Minski says, "The landlord went back in, and it looked there had been a real large college party in the unit. Furniture was askew, walls were broken, doors were broken, mirrors were broken, lamps were turned over, scratches on the floors. This is a furnished unit with custom furniture, leather sofas, silk love seats, very high-end furnishings, appliances, and there's damage in every room."
So the landlord is seeking damages and to cover lost rent. Minski says Brown could make the suit go away by writing a check for about $100,000.
However, Sternberg says his suit is about holding Brown accountable, and not the money.
Again Brown and his attorney are not commenting.
The Steelers have said they will not be commenting on the situation.
