In the fifth day of an appeal hearing with Major League Baseball regarding his pending 211-game suspension, the New York Yankees' superstar has filed his lawsuit with the Supreme Court of the State of New York alleging the league as "been engaged in tortious and egregious conduct with one, and only one goal: to improperly marshal evidence that they hope to use to destroy the reputation and career of Alex Rodriguez," The New York Post reported.
Rodriguez's attorneys have labeled the actions constitute to 'witch hunt' against the highest-paid player in the league.
The lawsuit argued the league's attorneys and investigators used unsavory means in gathering evidence to justify the superstar's suspension. It claimed "from the start of their investigation, defendants have engaged in vigilante justice."
Examples include the league pressuring and bullying potential witnesses for documents, as well as openly discussing Rodriguez's case before the suspension was announced, as Commissioner Bud Selig did in his appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" in August.
Rodriguez's complaint alleged that the leage paid $150,000 in cash for stolen records related to Rodriguez, USA Today reported. His lawyers also claim that MLB paid Tony Bosch, the former head of Biogenesis, $5 million "to buy his cooperation" It also alleged that MLB investigator Dan Mullin was engaged in "an inappropriate sexual relationship with a witness whom he himself interviewed about the Biogenesis matter."
Joseph Tacopina, Rodriguez's attorney began his cross-examination of Biogenesis founder Bosch on Thursday, and news reports said that he intends to continue that line of questioning on Friday.
The league sued Biogenesis earlier this year for allegedly helping players obtain banned drugs and damaging the sport's reputation. The league's lawsuit said the clinic induced players to violate contractual obligations.
The 38-year-old Rodriguez has 654 career home runs, and is due to earn a $6 million bonus if he hits number 660, which would tie him with Hall of Famer Willie Mays, ESPN reported.
For the fifth straight day, Rodriguez's supporters camped outside the hearing's offices at 245 Park Avenue in Manhattan. They have been seen waving Dominican flags and sporting #13 T-shirts. Rumors circulated mid-way through the week that his supporters were being paid -and given free food- to be outside during his arbitration hearing, according to USA Today.
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