Ex-Michigan football star Larry Foote claims he's been defrauded out of more than $400K by valet service
Former Michigan football linebacker Larry Foote claims he's been the victim of a six-figure fraud scheme.
Foote, currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, filed a lawsuit Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court alleging that he's been defrauded out of more than $400,000 by A-Star Valet, Inc., a Dearborn Heights-based valet service.
The suit was filed by Foote's attorneys James Acho and Robert Hahn, and the complaint was obtained Thursday by AnnArbor.com
Former Michigan linebacker Larry Foote claims he's been defrauded out of more than $400,000.
AP file photo
Foote alleges that Bazzi approached him in 2010 as a "legitimate Detroit-area businessman in the valet business (who) had recently garnered some major valet contracts" but needed an investor to move forward.
He claims the "major contracts" were false, and any documents presented to be contracts were "bogus" and "forged."
Foote has entered formal complaints against the company for fraud, theft and conversion, breach of contract and breach of promissory note. He is asking for a total judgement of $1.485 million.
The 2001 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Foote finished his four-year career at Michigan with 212 tackles and 11 sacks.
He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2002-08 before joining the Detroit Lions in 2009. He's been back in Pittsburgh since the 2010 campaign.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Scott
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
That's why 78% of NFL players are bankrupt within two years of retirement.
Goober
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.
Poor baby! Filthy rich and doesn't have a clue how to spend money wisely and protect himself. Who failed him? His mother & father? UofM? Himself?
StopCrying
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
Poor baby that was smart enough to make about $22 million more than you ya goober
ribby
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
Foote's career earnings are about $22 million.
Scott
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
it's down to pocket change.
Goober
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.
Is one of the 1%?
talker
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
Did he present the business proposal to a CPA or attorney or take it on faith?
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
guess he should have gotten a business degree instead of Phys Ed.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.
What lies have I told? Silly accusation. If you bothered to read my response (it's OK if you didn't - I'll provide a precis), you'd understand that all major college sports are a bit of a farce when it comes to academics. Perhaps the SEC is the most honest out there - they don't bother even pretending to worry about their college athletes and grades. The down side is that the universities in general are a bit sub-par compared to the other major conferences. You can look at any international ranking for details.
SEC Fan
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
well, you wanna tell the lies again about how clean UM is and how dirty everyone else is? so, why is the graduation rate for UM football players lower than the rest of the university? Wouldn't be because you lower the standards for them? and I wonder what % of Phys Ed graduates are football players? and for taking anyone; well, here's a nice list of wolvy criminals too: http://mwolverine.com/Scandals_Michigan.html
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 4:15 a.m.
Considering the SEC will take anyone with physical talent as long as the NCAA is OK with it, while the Big Ten schools at least pretend to be interested in athletes who can handle a remedial college curriculum or better, you are the last one who should be making this comment. Of course, that's like looking down on someone who watches Jersey Shore when you're watching Ice Cube Truckers.
SEC Fan
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 11:41 p.m.
why ya'll get so upset when someone comes on here and writes a simple FACT. he majored in Phys Ed. If you are going to manage your own investments, it'd be much better to have a degree that's relative to that. Otherwise, hire some knowledgeable people to manage your money. It's not like he can't afford it. Or is everyone in the world supposed to believe all um athletes graduate with degrees in electrical engineering with 4.0s. is that why your feelings are hurt? I smashed the fantasy?
MRunner73
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
I wish you'd go away.
GoBigBlue
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
What a shock, one of the first to reply on yet another MICHIGAN article.
smokeblwr
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
Hope he gets his monies before they leave the country.
Scott
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.
You remind me of my sweet grandma.
ferdcom
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
What???
Goober
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
Do they teach 'due diligence' at the UofM?
craigjjs
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
Not on the football team.