New York Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez's legal team has gathered extensive evidence accusing Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig of going on a "witch-hunt" to ruin his reputation and career, The Associated Press reported.
Rodriguez was given a 211-game suspension by the league on August 5 for alleged violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contact. Since the suspension was announced, Rodridguez's legal team has challenged the suspension, news reports said.
Jordan Siev, Rodriguez's attorney, said on Thursday that evidence will prove that the commissioner and the league engaged in behavior that subjects them to civil "if not criminal" liability.
Siev's arguments hoped to prove that the league tried various methods, including paying, harassing and threatening witnesses in "trying to take down the biggest name in the game," he said.
"We think their conduct is tortious and potentially criminal," Siev added.
Siev "recounted some highlights of the lawsuit, including allegations that the league intimidated and offered cash to witnesses, purchased documents and allowed one of its investigators to engage in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a witness. He said the league made sure to leak information about the investigation to the press along the way," reported the AP.
Joseph Baumgarten, the league's attorney called the lawsuit "inappropriate. It doesn't belong in federal court," he said.
Both sides were scheduled to file papers in the case on Friday, and a hearing was scheduled for January 23, The Associated Press also reported.
"It's ironic. Neither side wants to be here, but you're both here," said U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield on Friday.
