A Star Is Broke

Then there's the 1997 case alleging Martin became enamored with a high-rise at 163rd Street and Collins Avenue and put down a $117,000 deposit on a three-bedroom penthouse. The sale price was $1.17 million. After the football star failed to close on the unit, condo owners claimed the deposit. But Martin refused to release the money from an escrow account and the owners sued. When Martin failed to respond to the lawsuit (he contends the court papers were never delivered), a judge filed a default judgment. Martin's attorneys Gregg Breitbart and Steven Weinstein withdrew from the case in January 1998 citing "irreconcilable differences" with Martin.

Martin's agent Donald Wilson, who was also his lawyer in the Ramsour case, says Norton often signed for Martin or had his client sign without explanation. That's why Martin contested the signature in the Ramsour case. Norton couldn't be reached for comment.

For now the real question is: If Martin ends up earning all that money from the Dolphins, will he be able to hang on to any of it?

Staff writer Jose Luis Jimenez assisted in the reporting of this story.

tris_korten@miaminewtimes.com