Steinberg Claims Memo Bolsters Case

Steinberg Attorney Claim Memo Bolsters Their Case

It alleges that former partner sought to 'steal' clients

Los Angeles, August 25, 2001 -- Attorneys for agent Leigh Steinberg say that a "chilling" computer memo written by Athletes First partner, Brian Murphy, will reinforce their case that former employees of Steinberg, Moorad and Dunn intended to steal the firm's clients.

The memo is also proof of criminal conspiracy and blackmail, according to a report by the Sportsbusiness Journal. A recently filed federal lawsuit, [click here for more background] accused David Dunn and Athletes First of violating numerous federal laws, including the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The memo by Murphy had been deleted from a computer, but has been uncovered by a forensic computer expert.

"This is a case about greed, fraud, betrayal, theft, attempted cover-up and extortion," say Steinberg's attorneys. Dunn had left Steinberg's firm in Feb. of this year, and since then, more than half of Steinberg, Moorad & Dunn's 86 NFL clients have left, many of whom have signed with Dunn and Athletes First, according to court documents.

Dunn's attorney would not discuss the memo specifically and says the court documents are filled with more falsehoods than he has ever seen.

In May, Steinberg, Moorad and Dunn, now owned by Assante Corp., had filed suit against Dunn and his newly formed company in California state court, alleging breach of contract, as well as various other business violations. Last week, the firm's lawyers dropped that suit, replacing it with the new civil complaint in federal court.

Source : Sportsbusiness Journal, August 20, 2001.

David Burkey
daveywriter@hotmail.com