Report: Miles, Sumlin to be deposed in John Chavis, LSU legal battle
Remember that legal dispute between LSU and former Tigers defensive coordinator John Chavis? Well, the situation is still ongoing – and things are about to get pretty interesting, it seems.
According to a report from The Advocate, LSU head coach Les Miles, LSU athletic director Joe Alleva, Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin and Chavis, now with A&M, will all give depositions this month for the continuing case.
Chavis left LSU to take the same position at A&M following the 2014 season. A few months later, in February 2015, LSU and Chavis filed suits against one another. LSU claims Chavis owes it $400,000 for breach of contract. Chavis denies that claim and also says the school owes him $205,000 in unpaid vacation and incentives.
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The main point of contention in the case is the date Chavis began to work for A&M. Chavis says he gave LSU his 30-day notice on Jan. 5, meaning his final day with the Tigers was technically Feb. 4. If Chavis indeed left LSU after Jan. 31 like he says, he would not owe the $200,000 buyout.
The report says attorneys for both sides hope to get the depositions completed before the season begins. One deposition – for Tony Agnone, Chavis’ agent – is already scheduled for July 29. The report says LSU is seeking all communication between Chavis and Agnone between Nov. 1, 2014 and Feb. 11, 2015. Chavis already turned over phone records from that time span.
From The Advocate:
A subpoena, even, has been issued for one man: Chavis’ Maryland-based agent Tony Agnone. A Maryland court last week issued the subpoena compelling Agnone to appear at the Circuit Court for Baltimore County on July 29 for a deposition, according to court records obtained by The Advocate.
Court records say LSU lawyers are seeking all texts, emails, documents and other written communication exchanged between Agnone and Chavis from Nov. 1, 2014 to Feb. 11, 2015 – a key span in which the coach left LSU and, according to LSU, began actively working for his new employer, Texas A&M. LSU lawyers also wish to see documents exchanged between Agnone and anyone employed by or representing Texas A&M.
LSU attorneys requested the subpoena after Agnone did not respond to attempts at contacting him, documents say. Agnone founded Eastern Athletic Services, a Maryland agency that represents more than three dozen NFL players.
LSU’s lead attorney, Bob Barton, and Chavis’ attorney, Jill Craft, confirmed this week that depositions are beginning. The two declined any further comment.
Texas A&M did not officially announce Chavis’ hire – which Dr. Saturday first reported on Dec. 31 – until Feb. 13. LSU says Chavis began to work for the Aggies during the month of January and use social media photos with Chavis wearing A&M gear as evidence.
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Chavis’ lawsuit was initially filed in Texas. It was dismissed in August 2015 with a state district judge opting to send the case back to Baton Rouge, where LSU filed its suit. Texas judge Travis Bryan III said his court did not have proper jurisdiction in the matter.
For more LSU news, visit TigerBait.com.
For more Texas A&M news, visit AggieYell.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
