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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Landlords Say 76er Won’t Pay for Damage

PHILADELPHIA (CN) - Landlords claim a Philadelphia 76ers player trashed a $4,500-per-month rental house in the suburbs to the tune of $42,000 in damages, and left a Halloween tombstone as a death threat against litigation.

Sixers center Nerlens Noel leased the West Conshohocken, Pa., house in 2014 from Suzanne and William Bredt and stayed for one year. When he left, they discovered a ravaged home with sullied carpets, broken appliances, and strewn garbage, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.

They also "discovered remnants" of marijuana use "including in the master bathroom drawers and in more public spaces of the home," the complaint says, with an accompanying picture of a small cigar butt.

After the lease's expiration, the Bredts claim they were unable to reach Noel and instead attempted to contact his agent in September 2015 with a claim of $42,000 in damages.

The next day, "a death threat in the form of a tombstone with a skull and the letters 'RIP' was erected on the steps of the property," the lawsuit states, with an image of the decorative tombstone.

"Upon information and believe, this tombstone was placed by Noel and/or agent of Noel at the property for purpose of immediately threatening, terrorizing, frightening, scaring, and intimidating Plaintiffs in light of their damage claims," the complaint states.

The lawsuit alleges that Suzanne sent a text message to Noel's manager, Chris Driscoll, informing him that she has been unable to find his new address and asking for the return of the house key and garage door opener.

According to the complaint, Driscoll, believing he was messaging Noel, wrote, "she's insane...she thinks I'm gonna give her your address?"

Noel's attorney demanded that they be allowed to utilize their own carpet cleaner in order to defray the cost of replacement, which the Bredts estimated at around $30,000. The attorney also demanded the return of Noel's security deposit, according to the lawsuit.

The Bredts allege trespass, assault, negligence and breach of contract. They seek damages in excess of $75,000 and are represented by David Jokelson in Philadelphia.

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