Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis might not have played in the Super Bowl this year, but his presence was still felt in Arizona.
Lewis is a defendant in a civil suit alleging he failed to pay more than $5,000 to a company that provided hostesses to his Super Bowl party. Professional Events, an Arizona-based limited liability company, is suing Lewis and four others for breach of contract for $5,780 for services it provided for the February party. Lewis and his co-defendants are also being sued for legal fees and court costs.
Professional Events? suit, which was filed in Maricopa County in Arizona, claims Lewis and the other defendants promised numerous times to pay their balance, but have yet to settle the bill. The suit also alleges the defendants made their promises in writing, and Lewis? agent made a similar promise on a recorded phone message to take care of the balance, but the company has yet to receive payment.
Joby Branion, Lewis? agent, did not return several phone calls seeking comment.
Professional Events specializes in event management and promotions while also providing models for many big-name clients. Their client list includes Maxim Magazine, Miller Beer, NASCAR and ESPN, according to the company?s Web site.
The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Lewis, 33, is preparing to enter his 13th season with the Ravens. The 26th pick in the 1996 NFL Draft had 120 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2007. In the final year of his contract, Lewis is scheduled to report to the Ravens training camp at McDaniel College in Westminster on July 23. Lewis is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Lewis, however, has gotten into previous trouble at the Super bowl.
Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor obstruction of justice charge for lying to investigators following a fight outside a nightclub in 2000 following Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta which led to the deaths of two men. He was sentenced to one year of probation and the NFL fined him $250,000.
Lewis, however, has worked to repair his image, as he has been very active in numerous charities and earned his college degree from the University of Maryland in 2005.
