SAN DIEGO -- Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his foundation are suing one of the former organizers of his celebrity golf tournament in Southern California, saying the organizer cheated benefactors of the foundation out of thousands of dollars he kept for his own marketing firm.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday against David Miller and Integrated Sports Marketing in San Diego Superior Court, says Miller negotiated a favorable hotel rate for celebrity guests at the La Costa Resort earlier this year, then collected higher room rates, keeping the difference.
Now Brees wants his representatives to audit ISM's books from the past three tournaments to which he lent his name.
Miller said he has not seen Brees' lawsuit and cannot comment other than to point out that Brees failed to uphold his end of their marketing deal and that counter-claims are forthcoming.
"ISM will review that complaint and, when required, will be filing a counterclaim setting forth the acts and conduct of Mr. Brees and his agents that constitute breach of contract and misappropriation," Miller said.
Brees has been advised by attorneys not to comment on the case at this time. However, one of his lawyers, James Bo Pearl, said "The reputation and goodwill of Drew and Brittany Brees are inextricably intertwined with the foundation, and this lawsuit was filed to protect the good work the foundation is doing."
"The foundation placed its wholesale trust in ISM, but the company's failure to abide by the terms of their agreements made litigation unavoidable," Pearl added.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
