Drew Brees files lawsuit seeking $9 million from a jeweler in alleged scam

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has filed a lawsuit against Vahid Moradi, who runs CJ Charles Jewelers in San Diego, according to TMZ.

Per TMZ, Brees said he’s been buying jewelry from the shop for years, and has dropped about $15 million on watches, earrings, and rings. After having his jewelry appraised, Brees claims he was told his collection is worth $9 million less than what he paid.

TMZ also reports Brees alleges the biggest hit he took was on a diamond ring he bought in 2015 for $8.18 million that was valued at $3.75 million. Moradi’s attorney, Eric George, told TMZ that Brees is having “cash flow problems” and tried to bully Moradi into canceling the transactions.

According to TMZ, Brees is seeking $9 million in damages.

Brees has been paid $194,710,422 over the course of his NFL career, and if he plays out his contract through 2019, will have earned $244,710,422, according to Spotrac.

Brees said Moradi insisted the jewelry was an investment, according to TMZ. Like many other athletes, he’s tried to invest his money. Brees has tried to expand Jimmy John’s reach into New Orleans in 2012, and is currently the national spokesman with AdvoCare, which is a multi-level marketing company. An ESPN investigation by Mina Kimes in 2016 suggests the company encourages deception and targets people who want to be rich, with few people that actually make a significant amount of money. Brees receives a percentage of the sales from the AdvoCare products, as noted in the beginning of one of his AdvoCare videos.

Brees recently re-signed with the Saints for a two-year deal, and is set to make $27 million in the 2018 season. If he plays the 2019 season on the same deal, that will be another $23 million to his name.