While Dez Bryant recently claimed to have his legal woes under control, a lawyer says the Dallas Cowboys wideout still owes more than $600,000 and faces a pending lawsuit, ESPNDallas.com reported Monday.
Cowboys owner stands by his man
Jerry Jones, who spent
a first-round draft pick on Dez Bryant in 2010, said last week that he isn't concerned about the wide receiver despite recent problems. **More...**
Bryant told reporters Saturday that his money troubles are behind him, saying: "I have a handle on it and it's done. It's in the past and I'm ready to go ahead from here."
But attorney Beth Ann Blackwood says Bryant owes upwards of $600,000 to Eleow Hunt, a Colleyville, Texas, jeweler and ticket broker who filed suit against Bryant for outstanding bills for jewelry, tickets to sporting events and cash advances before he was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
The former Oklahoma State star -- who was supposed to pay back Hunt when he signed either an NFL or promotional contract, whichever came first -- is hoping to settle the suit when the NFL lockout ends, at which time he is set to net a $1 million roster bonus from the Cowboys.
Blackwood said the suit is on hold because Bryant's attorney -- Royce West, a Texas state senator -- is in special session in Austin.
Bryant also bought $267,000 worth of jewelry from A+A Diamonds LTD d/b/a Rafaello & Company last year, and the New York-based company filed suit against the receiver for non-payment. Mikel J. Bowers, the company's attorney, confirmed to ESPNDallas.com in April that a settlement had been reached in the case, although he didn't disclose the terms.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.