Ryan Braun was the first big star to go down thanks to links to Miami-based, PED-pushing clinic Biogenesis. Now a new lawsuit filed by a former friend suggests that the Milwaukee Brewers sluggers had used steroids ever since his college days at the University of Miami. The suit also claims Braun accepted cash payments while in school and engaged in academic misconduct.
Despite the fact a Hurricanes conditioning coach's name was found in Biogensis records by the Miami New Times, the University's athletic department has so far managed to remain clear of the fallout.
See also: Tony Bosch and Biogenesis: MLB Steroid Scandal
According to NESN, the suit has been filed by Ralph Sasson, a law student Braun met at the Coral Gables school. Sasson claims that he was hired by Braun to help fight his initial 2011 suspension for testing positive for PEDs. Though, he claims that Braun never paid him for the work until he threatened to reveal damaging information to the public. Braun paid up, but Sasson claims Braun then shit-talked about him to mutual friends, and Sasson is now suiting for defamation and emotional distress.
As part of the suit Sasson's lawyers have filed a "request for admission" asking Braun to confirm or deny several allegations. From NESN:
In the request for admissions that Sasson has sent to Braun, which is filed with the court and thus publicly available, Sasson makes a number of interesting charges. Among the accusations Sasson is trying to get Braun to admit to are that Braun has used PEDs since college, that he "violated NCAA rules of amateurism by accepting substantial cash and check payments," that he's engaged in "academic misconduct" and even that he lied to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to preserve their business agreement.
See also: Ryan Braun, Francisco Cervelli Confirm They Were Tony Bosch's Clients
Sasson also wants Braun to admit that he cheated on his fiancé, and the he has "engaged in lying, cheating and/or deception" "throughout [his] life, whether academically, professionally, or in amorous relationships."
"This lawsuit is an unfortunate attempt to capitalize on Ryan's recent press attention for taking responsibility for his actions," Braun's attorney, Howard Weitzman, told the AP this weekend when news of the lawsuit initially hit. "The factual allegations are untrue and the legal claims have absolutely no merit. We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed."
Of course, Sasson's lawyers have so far not filed any evidence to back up any of their claims.
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