FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - New details have been released in the case of an armed robbery including two NFL players.
Quinton Dunbar, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, and DeAndre Baker, a former cornerback for the New York Giants, both from Miami, were accused of robbing several people at a Miramar party on May 13.
The charges against both players were dropped, but the case has turned into an extortion investigation that led to the arrest of an attorney.
William Dean, 50, was arrested and charged with extortion.
Dean represented several of the alleged victims in the case who have recanted their original statements several times.
The 50-year-old is accused of approaching Baker, requesting cash in exchange for victims changing their testimony and freeing him of his charges.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, “Dean wanted Baker to pay each of his clients more than $266,000… Dean told Baker’s attorney that his clients would do ‘Anything you want, so long as the money is right.'”
Michael Grieco, Dunbar’s attorney, discussed the witnesses’ testimonies outside of the Broward County Jail in May.
“They made a mistake relying on five bad witnesses who have since not only provided me with five new stories, but then, they went ahead and they provided another five stories to the other attorney is my understanding,” Grieco said.
When surveillance video showed cash exchanging hands near Grieco’s Miami office, the Florida Bar launched an investigation.
The State Attorney’s Office has deemed that the victims are no longer credible resulting in all charges being dropped against the players.
The NFL said they have been monitoring Baker’s case, and while he still faces disciplinary action, based on Monday’s news, he’s eligible to sign with a team. Baker’s attorney said his client is still taking in the news of having his charges dropped.
Dean remains behind bars at the Broward County Jail, and he has not appeared before a judge.
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