Twins pitcher Ervin Santana has reportedly paid a Florida jeweler, who claimed the right-hander defaulted on a September 2014 purchase.
Major League Jewelers Inc. sued Santana in Miami for civil theft and defamation after he allegedly refused to finish paying for customized gems he claimed were phony.
The story was first reported last spring – around the same time Santana was suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
According to court records, Santana made the initial $2,150 payment on his jewelry purchase, but he refused to pay the balance because he claimed the jeweler failed to satisfy his specifications for the necklaces, bracelets, pendants and earnings.
The Pioneer Press reports Santana compensated a Florida jeweler $58,000 for the gems valued at just over $42,000.
“To prove the jewels were fake, Santana hired a gemologist to examine them, a tactic that backfired. The appraiser determined the jewels were not only legitimate but actually worth $2,760 more than the pitcher agreed to pay, court records show.”
While Santana’s settlement will cover the value of the jewels, plus additional fees and attorney’s fees, the newspaper notes that Major League Jewelers will continue with its defamation claim.
Santana has since returned from his suspension. According to 1500 ESPN, the court proceedings shouldn’t affect him on the field. He’ll start on Friday night in Oakland when the Twins return from the All Star break.
