When Texas State Sen. Royce West entered his property at 1212 Regents Park Ct. in DeSoto after his tenant, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, had vacated the property, he found filthy carpet, garbage everywhere, broken windows and shutters, and even feces according to court documents. Bryant moved out in January, leaving the six-bedroom, seven-full-and-one-half-bath home in complete disrepair.
The lease documents signed by Bryant show that he was paying $4,720 per month for the 6,400-square-foot DeSoto home, which has both a tennis court and swimming pool. Lease documents show that pets were not allowed, and that the property was supposed to be kept in reasonably clean conditions, with repairs paid for upon move-out.
To fix all the issues with the property after Bryant vacated, West threw down more than $51,000, he says. West is asking for $60,000 for all the fixes to the property. Dallas County Appraisal District has the value of 1212 Regents Park Court on the tax rolls for $510,480 and the condition listed as “poor.” It was purchased in 2009 for $550,000.
West says he’s tried several times to get the embattled football star to pay up for repairs, but this is his last resort to get his money back.
Jump for more, as well as the original filings.
According to website Law360 (subscription required), Bryant’s agent and attorney have not returned requests for comment.
West’s suit said he had to remove trash and furniture from the house, repaint the entire home, replace flooring and carpeting, replace lighting and ceiling fans, replace windows, doors, garage locks and the home security system. The repairs and cleaning, which Royce said were necessary in part “to clear the residence of the distinct odors,” totaled $61,546.77, according to the suit.
Claiming breach of contract, West is seeking to recover the repair costs and lost profits, along with attorneys’ fees.
According to a demand letter attached as an exhibit to the suit, West tried several times to collect the money from Bryant before filing suit, but Bryant purportedly refused to pay for the repairs.
West said Bryant’s attorney instead sent a letter threatening West with “vague and unfounded insinuations of malfeasance.” That letter is not part of the court record.
West, an attorney at West & Associates LLP, represented Bryant in 2012 in a domestic violence matter that was dismissed.
West is represented by Michael Gruber, Trey Crawford and Priya Bhaskar of Gruber Elrod Johansen Hail Shank LLP.
Bryant is represented by Kenneth Broughton of Reed Smith LLP.
