Johnny Manziel sued for damages to L.A. rental home

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Saturday, June 4, 2016

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has been sued for causing "extensive damage" to a Los Angeles home he rented in April, according to the attorney representing the owner of the property.

Attorney Niki Ghazian, representing Nicholas Goodwin of The Goodwin Group Inc., said her client is seeking more than $40,000, according to TMZ. The lawyer said the suit was filed in the Central District of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Goodwin alleges Manziel, who stayed at the property April 4-6, agreed to assurances that the property was to be used strictly for his own personal and private use, and agreed to pay a $10,000 fine if more than 15 people came to the house at one time.

"Surveillance footage shows that Mr. Manziel threw large parties on both nights, causing extensive damage to the subject property," Ghazian told ESPN in April. "Evidence suggests that Mr. Manziel and his guests were consuming drugs and alcohol on the property."

Ghazian also told ESPN that damages -- including "extensive burn marks from cigarettes and marijuana" found on the floor, wine stains "that cannot be removed" from a carpet, a broken glass table and a broken door -- exceeded $19,000.

The Goodwin Group Inc., which owns LA Exotic Life, is a private company that rents "exotic villas," among other things, according to its website.

Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, was waived by the Browns on March 11 after his two seasons with the team were marred by off-the-field struggles and limited on-the-field success.

He was indicted by a grand jury in Dallas on April 25 and faces a charge of misdemeanor assault related to family violence, which carries up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

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