Shenanigans Called on George Brett’s Jewelry

DES MOINES, Iowa (CN) - Hall of Fame baseball legend George Brett has falsely advertised necklaces and bracelets as being able to improve health and sports performance, a federal class action alleges.

Seth Thompson says he was misled into buying an "Ionic" necklace because of deceptive marketing from Brett's 11-year-old company Brett Bros. Sports International.

The 1999 Hall of Famer endorsed the necklaces and bracelets as being able to "help relieve stiffness in the shoulders and neck, eventually stabilizing your whole body, as well as help recovery from sports fatigue, restore important ion balance, and improve concentration and focus," according to the complaint.

But Thompson says those claims are misleading to the average consumer.

"Most consumers, when reading these claims, and seeing the products endorsed by a high-profile baseball player, assume that these products have the health benefits that are marketed and advertised and that scientifically significant research supports statements made by Brett Bros., when in fact that is not the case," the complaint states.

Encouraged by promises that Brett's Ionic necklace would increase his energy and focus, while reducing stress, Thompson allegedly bought the product for $30 at the 2011 College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Since the necklace failed to deliver, Thompson wants to represent a class of anyone who has bought one or more Brett Bros. accessories within the last four years.

The class seeks damages for violations of the Iowa Private Right to Action for Consumer Frauds Act, disgorgement of the proceeds of the alleged fraud and an injunction barring Brett Bros. from further false marketing.

It is represented by J. Barton Goplerud of Hudson Mallaney Shindler in West Des Moines.

Brett spent his entire 21-year career with the Kansas City Royals. The 58-year-old has been the president of Brett Bros. since 2001 and appears in the company's advertisements.

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