A managing partner of the South Florida law firm, Ford, Dean & Rotundo, was charged last week with the attempted extortion of NFL player DeAndre Baker.
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It is alleged William A. Dean requested the New York Giants cornerback pay off his clients to change their testimony related to an armed robbery and assault case against Baker and another NFL player stemming from a May barbecue. The clients stated the two players robbed them at gunpoint for cash and jewelry totaling more than $70,000.
Baker was released by the Giants in September, but Dean’s clients were intent on continuing to demand money. Their original offer to Baker for their changed testimony was $1.5 million. This number was negotiated down to $800,000 but no money exchanged hands between the parties.
The clients have now recanted their previous statements claiming Baker “did not directly or indirectly participate in any robbery or assist in a robbery at the scene or elsewhere” and they never saw him “rob or assault anyone with a firearm.”
In an official statement, Baker’s attorney Bradford Cohen stated, “I’ve been saying this from Day 1, that this was an extortion scheme and that DeAndre was the victim. This event did not play out as they insinuated. And the case was dismissed.”
He has now turned his focus to returning to the field. Baker’s lawyer said, “I hope the NFL will look at this case and let cases play out before they decide to suspend a player.” The other player involved, Quinton Dunbar, has played in six games this season without any penalty from the league.
While the unfortunate series of events led to the end of Baker’s tenure in New York, he has been signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in an attempt at a resurgence on the gridiron.
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Source:https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/florida-lawyer-is-charged-with-trying-to-extort-nfl-player
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