Claim Against Blount “Total Shakedown”
December 6th, 2011
Late this afternoon, Joe was able to reach LeGarrette Blount’s lawyer, Ryan Morgan, who blasted the accusers of a Sept. 11 incident, calling it a “total shakedown” and a blatant money grab.
Per a St. Petersburg Times report, Blount is accused of being a “leader” in a physical assault after the Bucs lost to the Lions in the season opener.
Blount was with his seven-year old autistic nephew at the time of the incident, per police reports. While Blount may have been a witness, he was not involved in the physical altercation.
It was not until the alleged victim of the incident realized Blount was in the group did they try to squeeze the Bucs running back for money, Morgan said.
“We get a message from [counsel representing the victim] saying they want $95,000,” Morgan said. “He said at the time if he didn’t get the money he would go public. He had a relationship with a reporter to write a one-sided article.
“It’s baloney, you know. This guy drives around crashing into cars and he admits LeGarette didn’t do anything [physical]. LeGarrette was with his seven-year old nephew who is autistic.
“This is total baloney, it’s just not true. Look, there was a crash and an altercation, I can’t condone that. But even [the victim] admits LeGarrette didn’t do anything.”
December 6th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Anyone remember when McCoy got yanked for a BS charge by the cops but everyone was soooooo ready to believe he’d done some horrible thing or another?
Yeah, looking through the thread before this and seeing this update, I can only say “don’t form opinions until all the facts are laid out.”
December 6th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
I hope this is true.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
And the other side speaks.. Ha, great job Joe. Your 2 blog posts should be pinned next to that news article to show how to do professional reporting.
Reporter: Lets write an article based on 1 person’s side because it will cause a huge ruckus and make us money.
Joe: That sounds fishy.. whats the other side of the story.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
I am behind Blount 100%. There are alot of slimeballs out there that will do anything for cash and he didn’t crash into anyone. If the police are satisfied so am I. Now Talib is a different story!!!
December 6th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Blount friends were just making their own version of citizens arrest for felony DUI – Hit and RUN
December 6th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Strange there are no posts by all the people who ‘lynched’ Blount in the prior post……Pathetic.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
The accuser already has a DUI on his record from 2008. Could that explain why he went back to his apartment, waited awhile, then took a cab to his girlfriend’s place and only then contacted the cops? Trying to sober up?
December 6th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
I wonder where all the apologies are from everyone on the article before this one that jumped to conclusions, called him a “classless thug”, and were ready to ship him out of town……Its great when all the facts come out isn’t it
December 6th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Blount hasn’t really earned the benefit of the doubt from me, and doesn’t deserve it. So when I read things like this I have a hard time saying “well dang, this whole thing must be made up”.
I’m truly hoping Blount wasn’t involved. Innocent till proven guilty though, and to the clowns on the other post calling him a thug and stuff, why don’t you wait to pass ultimate judgment?
December 6th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
WOW. When you are asomeone famous and have a little history (or even if you do not) you had better watch out. Scum bags are gunning for a free payday with no regard for anyone or anything.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
@ Joe its bologna!! haha just bustin ya chops keep up the good work
December 6th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Accusers name/address is public record, no?
December 6th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Another thing, why is it the reporter who wrote the original story for the Times about Blount writing about this in the first place? He is listed as their real estate reporter.
From his bio: “(Mark) Puente covers real estate issues as part of the Times’ Business team.”
December 6th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
LOL:
Sorry, Joe is correct. From Merriam-Webster’s dictionary:
December 6th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
That Guy:
A journalist is a journalist. If he/she has a journalism degree, they should be able to write anything from high school basketball to murders to car wrecks to foreclosures.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
I understand that, Joe. But go to Puente’s bio page. It has links to the other stories he’s written and they are all real estate stories. But this one just happens to fall into his lap? Doesn’t pass the smell test.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Oh yea, Blount’s lawyer is a great source.
Im sure this guy broke his own jaw so he could sue Blount. Put the wires in too i suppose.
And the Times always writes stories at the request of victims. THe story directly refers to the police report. You know, where Blount refuses to cooperate with the police?
We now have it confirmed that Blount was there, and these guys beat this guy to a pulp. (which is bad enough). And the lawyer said he “didn’t do anything physical”. Exactly what the guy said happened in the report. He didnt say Blount hit him, but that he directed it. If the guy was setting Blount up why not say he hit him?
Please.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
So Blount took his nephew, ringside to a beatdown, cool!
December 6th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Joe here,
@Eric — Joe will write more on this tomorrow. But let’s get real, this guy gets pummeled through his window with his girlfriend screaming next to him and another guy on his windshield, yet at the same time he’s able to determine BLount is “leading” the attack from a distance. …I suspect you’d have a field day with that.
Joe’s read through the police report and will get into more tomorrowm with more sources.
December 6th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
oops… too many commas
December 6th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
@joe,
Ok Joe. Fair enough. But, slimeball lawyer talk is my domain!
And that lawyers statement qualifies! Very carefully chosen words.
If you wanna know more, contact the lawyer representing the victim. If anybody can stand anymore lawyer babble.
December 6th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
It’s Raheem Morris’s fault!!!
December 6th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
@Eric,
If the $95,000 shakedown is true, you’re the slimeball that casted the first stone. Fair enough?
December 6th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
I also know that the lawyer, not an eyewitness, is setting forth his client’s version of the facts as presented to him by his client.
When lawyers argue irrelevant circumstantial evidence, like his autistic nephew was with him, it typically comes from the client as a suggestion to not look closely because if you do there is more to it.
Blount’s history will not help him. Why was he not cooperative with the police if he did nothing wrong.
December 6th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
if u witness two guys pummel a guy and break his jaw in a parking lot why wouldnt u tell the cops.
especially in front of your autistic nephew.
December 6th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
because the guys were his friends
December 6th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
@Thomas
Perhaps his past is so damning, any involvement might incriminate him due to the judgmental?
Perhaps his lawyer advised him not to cooperate?
Perhaps he was hardly present, but only an eyewitness?
Why assume he’s done something wrong?
I’ve seen my friends kick somebodies a$$ b/f, and it was deserved. Never do I condone violence, but I didn’t cooperate with police in said instance. Did that make me guilty of a crime? It’s not like it was illegal for me to decline.
December 6th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
if the guy swiped their car … OOOOPS … and they had to track him down to cut him off … Im guessing he went a little further then out of the way … .. He gets pummelled and still doesnt call the cops ???
SOme people get what they deserve and it sounds like this dude was probably toasted from the game … Hit another car … tried to get away … Got caught and got his a** kicked … Then didnt report it .. Because then he would have gt his ass kicked and his ass arrested
Blount didnt hit him .. Now he like an evil villian or the guy from Mortal Combat … FINISH HIMMMM!!!
December 6th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Blount should have never let the situation happen…first mistake….second mistake not paying the guy 95k….stupid is as stupid does…..tick…tick..tick…boom !
December 6th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
The victim said he didn’t do anything. Case closed.
Let this be a lesson to all you raving madmen to wait till you know more of the story before calling for the noose.
December 6th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
didnt do anything physical.
he just told the others to attack the guy.
just like oj did in vegas. he didnt do anything phyzical either.
but hes in prison
December 6th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Blount actually DID cooperate w/ the police. Puentes story was very poorly researched.
December 6th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Eric,
You are a freaking moron if you really compare the OJ thing to Blount. OJ’s case involved kidnapping and theft you jackass. Get a clue!
December 6th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
the real story is why did this…”inoccent altercation”…..
take nearly 3 months to hit the news….
hmmm….Joe…..
December 6th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
OJ Should’ve already been in prison for murder… Fact.
December 6th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
HA this is hilarious this guy was definanlty trying to get something out of the deal when he saw it was blount. If supposedly he ordered the attack how could he know it was him if he supposedly getting “pummelled” Why didn’t he stop when he first hit blount’s sisters car? Traffic in a parking garage? How busy is this so called parking garage? I mean ive been in a decent amount of parking garage’s and I can’t say there is that much traffic that you can’t stop when you hit someone’s car. And if he did hit the car and there was that much traffic to where he couldn’t stop how is blount able to catch him to cut him off? This story has more holes then swiss cheese in it. I guess @eric wants so bad for blount to get blamed for this. I bet you this guy probably provoked it just to get beat up so he could try n press charges so blount would pay him that 95 grand. I think some people on the previous post shouldnt jump to conclusions so easily. Just because it’s written down doesn’t mean its true form your own opinion about it first.
December 6th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
simpson only directed it!
December 6th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Isn’t it funny that the two most negative fans in the world, Thomas and Eric, both are assuming guilt? These are the same two guys that last year did the exact same thing with Mike Williams. How did that work out? I bet you probably still to this day believe he was drunk and should have been suspended.
You guys are no more lawyers than you are football coaches. I have several lawyer friends, and anytime I try to ask their opinion on any public case, they always say the same thing “I have to hear more of the facts”. Yet you two bozos can determine guilt by reading an article! Amazing!
Then you have the audacity to call him a miserable excuse for a human being. Unbelievable! I love how you enjoy condemning people and judging them without a shred of real evidence. Where did you go to law school, HCC? It’s one thing to hate the coach and want him fired. It’s another thing entirely to criticize people without any knowledge of the situation. Shame on both of you.
December 6th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Joe here,
@Rastamon — There are a few answers to your question:
1) Blount wasn’t arrested so the local cops reporters wouldn’t have picked his name up anywhere. Joe will check, but nobody’s probably filed a civil action against Blount, either.
2) The typical cops leaks in Tampa weren’t getting a vibe that BLount was culpable in any way. So that didn’t put the story out there.
3) Blount opted not to get in front of the story and put his version out sooner.
4) The victim was using the threat of going to the media as a carrot to score some cash.
Keep in mind, Joe’s not saying the guy wasn’t beaten and injured maliciously. But Joe’s only interest here is Blount, and the guy shouldn’t be hung out to dry for hanging out with idiots. It’s not like Blount was in a bar or somewhere asking for trouble.
December 6th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
actually hawaiian i defended williams and talib.
but this is just wrong. even under a light most favorable to blount.
just my opinion
December 6th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
“.second mistake not paying the guy 95k….stupid is as stupid does…..tick…tick..tick…boom !”
————
So you would pay someone 1/4 of your annual salary (on a job that lasts an average of about 3 years) if you did nothing wrong? Exactly why would you do that? So who is the stupid one? And who is to say that you pay him and he still won’t go public? Are you going to take his word for it? I’m sure someone who blackmails you can be trusted, right? There are some people on this board who really need to think before they showcase their stupidity for the rest of the world.
December 6th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
So your opinion qualifies you to call someone a miserable excuse for a human? You sure do think highly of your own opinion I guess. Some lawyer you must be.
December 6th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
hawaiian.
for all the names u call folks i wouldnt throw stones.
but yes i think being involved in an endeaver to track a guy down in a parking lot and breaking a mans jaw is the act of a miserable human being.
u support it?
December 6th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
You, nor I, know the circumstances. I do know, however, that if it were as bad as you are making it out to be, he would have been arrested and/or charged. You don’t know sh!t for facts. I was under the impression that we live in America, and we are innocent until proven guilty. I guess we should just take the word of the fan, you know the one who tried to run away after hitting his car (and very likely the 7 year old).
December 6th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
And comparing this to OJ is stupid on your part. Not even close, and you know it.
December 6th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Let’s not forget Blounts’ past, when he was a KID! He punched a guy, that we have no idea, what was done or said prior to the “punch” everyone is so quick to label this guy a thug. We don’t know him personally. But professionally as a football player, I love the guy! He’s fiery and a hell of a ball player. He very well could be our Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith. Let’s hope he is innocent until proven otherwise. Like we are supposed to!
December 6th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Everybody jumped the gun!!! Specially the Tampa sports media. Wow!!!!
December 6th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Eric,
You don’t know me, but I will let you in on something. I get off on catching people in a lie. I especially love catching someone lie when I have it in print. You, my friend, are a liar. You supported Talib? Really? Let’s see, here’s what you said:
“Unless he plays on the mean machine, forget football Talib, you moron.”
“Whatever the legalities, just plain stupid, which we all know can’t be fixed.
Move on Rah, your better than this.”
You call that supporting him? I’d love to see how you don’t support someone. So not only are you a negative “fan”, you are also a complete liar. You have absolutely no credibility anymore.
December 6th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
None of us know what happened. This is a very strange set of facts and someone who needlessly got beat up badly as a result. Even if the other guy did something wrong doesn’t mean that Lagarette and company are justified in beating the guy up.
Reasonable people call the police to report the incident, they don’t run the guy down jump on his car and punch him in the head multiple times through the windshield – that is criminal behavior. Kind of like when he: punched the Boise player costing him millions, punched the Titans player in camp leading to him being cut, and punching the Saints player after the play a few weeks ago. Pattern of out of control behavior geniuses?
If Lagarette told one of his buddies to do it or did it, he may have civil responsibility and he should contribute to the victim’s medical bills. That will likely be a fact either never known because of a settlement or determined by a jury.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
hawaiian
those were jokes. i fully supported talib when the commish was gonna suspend him.
i went on a tirade blasting him for considering a suspension efore case went to court.
i got a “here here” from joe.
so. nice try but yet another swing and miss.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Or maybe the entire thing is a huge exaggeration. You know that is possible right? If it was as bad as the guy was making it out to be, don’t you think someone would have been arrested? Or maybe it would have gotten out sooner?
If he is guilty, then he should be punished. However, this case just seems extremely fishy to me. If what the lawyer is saying is true and the alleged victim did ask for money to keep quiet, doesn’t that seem a little weird to you? Don’t you think it is possible he was drunk and belligerent? Perhaps he could have almost hit the boy? Again I ask, if someone almost hit your kid, then tried to drive away, what would you do? What if you knew he was obviously drinking and driving too? I don’t believe for one second that the 3 guys attacked this guy because he swiped his mirror. There has got to be more to it. If there isn’t, then I don’t want him on the team. I just don’t believe this story from the second I read it.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Yeah Eric, sure. You were so supportive of Talib. Give me a break with that BS backtracking. You are not fooling me, nor anyone else. But nice try.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
was blount charged with a crime? no? is there video footage of blount ordering two men to beat a guy and jump on the truck? no? ok, so whats the actual problem here?
December 6th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
“ok, so whats the actual problem here?”
——-
We have Sheriff Andy and Barney Fife (Thomas and Eric) that love more than anything else to convict any current Buccaneer player without any real evidence. They are the moral police of Tampa, and they need not have any details.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
If the victim’s lawyer acknowledged that Blount wasn’t involved at allk but wanted 95k solely for hush money, then that lawyer has in all likelihood violated ethical cannons and laws.
I know you guys don’t think highly of lawyers but I don’t know any that would try to effectively extort money from a person which that would arguably be if he had no legal foundation for his threatened lawsuit.
With that said: this “directed” the beating argument standing alone I must admit sounds weak – possibly a tacit admission that Blount did not strike the victim – otherwise that would be alleged in the police report and forthcoming lawsuit.
Also, if my case was strong against Blount, and the defense refused to make a reasonable settlement offer by now, I would have filed the suit by now – since the victim hasn’t, that suggests less than convincing evidence.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@Hawaiian,
Here it was less than 24 hours ago you forgave/apol to Eric for all past, and now we are right back to square one. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
I think the guys with Blount used appropriate force to apprehend the criminal. Hit my truck, speed away, oh, oh, its on brother. We’re going to fist city if I don’t just start riddling your car full of bullets.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
I admit: I wasn’t supportive of Talib.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
@BigMac,
No, I only forgive him if we lose out. Otherwise, I meant everything I have ever said.
I agree, if someone hits my car (and almost me or my kids) then tries to run away, it’s not going to be a peaceful situation. But I guess we are thugs.
December 6th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
“I admit: I wasn’t supportive of Talib.”
———
LOL!!!
December 6th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
If I’m a thug, does that make me and Talib brothers?
December 6th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Police noted beer cans in the bed of Holmer’s truck. In January, 2008, Holmer was arrested for DUI. The charge was later reduced to reckless driving.
——
That’s from the Times report. And I’m sorry, but in my opinion, drunk drivers deserve any arse whooping they get. I have absolutely zero tolerance or sympathy for someone who does that type of thing. Obviously it doesn’t say he was over the limit on Sept. 11 (and if he wasn’t, then I apologize), but he did wait a few hours before reporting the incident. Sobering up maybe?
December 6th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Was it geno hays and talib in the car too??
December 6th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
if the guy was drunk the thing to do is call the cops. not break the mans jaw.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
It was a citizens arrest and he was resisting
December 6th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
@eric and @thomas 2.2
Do you guys really believe that blount’s gonna just stand around and yell the orders to his friends to beat this guy up. Hmm… well recent history suggests that blount isn’t the type to keep his emotions down if he wants to punch you dude probably will. If he can’t keep his cool when he’s on the field when millions of people are watching do you really think he will when someone side swipes his sisters car with his autistic cousin in it and the guy keeps driving? O and the guy was drunk 2. Call me crazy but if he punches hoyte and the titans player and the saints guy all in game. Im pretty sure he would punch this guy out of a game.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
@Eric,
What if the guy almost killed your 7 year old kid? Then tried to get away. It’s very nice that you are that calm and you let people almost murder your family, but I won’t. I guess if someone tries to hijack a plane you are on, it’s better to call the cops rather than break his jaw (stupid analogy, but not as stupid as comparing Blount to OJ Simpson). When someone almost causes harm to another, then tries to get away, then they deserve more than a broken jaw. What if he killed the kid? What if he killed someone else? Would you still have so much sympathy? I guess you’ve never had anyone close to you killed by a drunk driver. Good for you.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
And once again, Blount didn’t lay a finger on the guy. Should he have gotten in the way? Maybe, depends on the situation. But if you believe he stood on the side directing the fight like a movie director, then you are a fool.
December 6th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
[OK, Joe’s done playing. You make a personal attack at a Clear Channel on-air personality, you get the boot. Real simple. Just depends on what you want. People have been warmed enough. Joe’s done with warnings. — Joe]
December 7th, 2011 at 12:02 am
Most of you sound like a bunch of squabbling chickens. Doused him with gas and already lit the match. What a shame. Aside from our two new DEs Blount’s the only spark our team’s got right now. Way to support the face of your favorite team. True fans, you are. The “victim”‘s probably pregnant with Justin Beiber’s baby, too, right?
December 7th, 2011 at 1:04 am
I know if someone damaged my property and ran I would give chase and expect immediate payment. Police can not help in that situation. If the person was honest and apologetic I might even let the entire incident slide(as I have before). But if they run my instincts to chase will arise and when caught I will demand immediate compensation. If it then turns violent, so be it. That person should have never ran away from the damage he/she created. Any good individual wouldn’t do such a thing.
December 7th, 2011 at 1:07 am
Hmm. Strange facts to go along with everyone’s “version” of the truth. Despite the broken Jaw, the victim waits several hours to go public. Then waits 3 months to Reveal story to a real estate reporter. That reporter then releases a pretty sloppy and one sided version of the story.
Sounds like the victim was drunk at the time, and then had a buddy at the newspaper. KInda lending support to the extortion claim
Apparently no one involved with the “beat team” called the police. Which changed them from” victims of a Drunk drive”, to possible perpetrators of an assault. Even if they did fight the guy – call the cops. The fact that they didn’t is suspect.
If Blount, with his history, did anything other than dial 911, or totally detach from the situation, he is being Stupid
December 7th, 2011 at 6:50 am
I hate the fact that when someone uses their right to silence, they are presumed guilty. That is so unamerican.
December 7th, 2011 at 10:05 am
WOW again. Amazing how many of you have such strong opinions without knowing the facts and all the facts.
It “sounds” like this happened, it “sounds” like that happened…..
Yeah, and…. Obama “sounded” like he knew what he was doing when he campaigned……
December 7th, 2011 at 11:15 am
@Hawaiian,
Here is what I posted in support of Talib:
“No suspension is warranted in my opinion.
The man has been charged, is presumed innocent, and has set the matter for trial where a jury will decide it. Arrest aint conviction. I am quite sure I have read that in a little thing called the Constitution. Its only one of the greatest documents ever drafted by the human race.
What makes the Commish think he is in a better position to determine the facts?
Plus, Talib can’t speak openly about it because he has a trial and his lawyers will have to assert the fifth.
Let the man play.
Trust the system. Not perfect, but the best one ever devised”.
And as far as trying to kill the seven year old, i think you are stretching things a bit. The reason I supported Talib is he was trying to defend his sister from a guy who had a gun. This situation is an attack for a broken mirror, which hardly gives justification for breaking the guys jaw and smashing his windshield.
Its an act of a miserable human being.
December 7th, 2011 at 11:24 am
Maybe Blount wasn’t giving orders, but he certainly didn’t stop them or could have said to them, “hey, let’s just call the police”.
December 7th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Dave, if you are referring to me, I said “sounds like”. I didn’t form any opinion at. I stated that if Blount got it involved, it was stupid.
From the few facts presented, I don’t believe he did. With all the delays in calling police and releasing the story, I’d be more apt to believe the extortion line.
But waiting to see if more facts present themselves.
Talib’s situation was different. No matter what, for him to have introduced a gun into the situation was idiotic. And despite all the thug lovers trying to paint Aqib as a hero- no facts support that!
The man in question was his sisters common law husband if several years. They have a long, violent history together. The brother in law is a convicted felon. He frequently lived in the mothers house, with the sister and Mother- also a convicted felon. A fight between those two as business as usual. To bring a gun, and start shooting, just proves he belongs in that environment
December 7th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Eric,
Are you saying you didn’t say those things I posted? If it was another Eric, then I apologize. Yes, you may have supported him to not get suspended, but you also presumed guilt from the very beginning (again assuming that was you). That is not being supportive.
December 7th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Ok Hawaiian buc,
I did alter my opinion about Talib from when I first heard about it. The facts that came out did change my opinion.
Perhaps i have jumped the gun a bit on Blount, but this just seems really wrong to me.
If information comes out exonerating the man, so be it.
I am more than capable of being completely wrong.
December 7th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@Eric,
That’s all I needed to hear.