Why a dropped lawsuit against Shilo Sanders just resurfaced
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The law firm that recently dropped its federal lawsuit against former Colorado football player Shilo Sanders has refiled its case against him in a Texas state court, reviving its claim that Sanders owes the firm $170,000 but has refused to pay.
The firm Barnes & Thornburg LLP originally filed a complaint against Sanders in federal court in November but withdrew the case in late May without explanation. The firm since filed its case in a state court in Dallas, where it noted that a “substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred in Dallas County.”
Sanders, 26, is the middle son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders and older brother of Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, 24.
“Despite Mr. Sanders’s clear duty to pay the Outstanding Debt, he has refused to pay Plaintiff, and Mr. Sanders’s account remains unpaid,” the new complaint states.
The firm is seeking a judgment against Sanders for $170,000, plus all other damages against Sanders in an amount to be determined at trial.
How this case relates to Shilo Sanders’ pending bankruptcy case
The firm said it provided services to Sanders that were related to his other primary legal troubles, including his bankruptcy case. But when the attorney Sanders was working with left Barnes & Thornburg to join a new firm, Sanders didn’t pay his outstanding balance, which is a year past due and includes accrued interest, according to the complaint.
Shilo Sanders field for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2023 with more than $11 million in debt, almost all of which is owed to John Darjean, a former security guard at his former school in Dallas.
Darjean sued Sanders in 2016, alleging that Sanders permanently injured him in 2015 when he tried to confiscate Sanders’ phone at school. The case didn’t go to trial until 2022, but when it did, Sanders didn’t show up for it as Darjean made his case to a Dallas judge. The judge then ruled in Darjean’s favor against Sanders with a $11.89 million default judgment.
By filing for bankruptcy, Sanders is trying to get out of that debt. He said he acted in self-defense. But Darjean is fighting to collect on all that he is owed in a case that remains pending.
Sanders has pursued other interests outside football after being waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lawsuit refiled against Deion Sanders’ son Shilo in Texas state court
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