Irvin counters with lawsuit against man who alleges assault

Apr/11/07 07:37 PM Filed in: Michael Irvin
DALLAS — Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin has filed a countersuit against a contractor who alleges in his own lawsuit that the former Dallas Cowboys star grabbed his arm and injured him during a dispute over a $2,800 payment.

Irvin filed suit Tuesday against Shawn Vandergrift, whom Irvin hired to install a fountain at his Plano home, according to court records. Irvin's lawsuit claims extortion, duress and slander. The lawsuit also names Dominick Marsala, Vandergrift's lawyer.

Vandergrift's suit claims that Irvin grabbed the contractor and jerked his body as he tried leaving. Irvin had begun "screaming and shouting" after Vandergrift said he was owed payment for the work, according to Vandergrift's lawsuit.

The former wide receiver denies the assault allegations and claims Vandergrift's lawsuit is "an attempt to extort and coerce money from Irvin," according to his lawsuit.

Marsala said Vandergrift has passed a lie detector test in which his client was asked questions about the allegations.

(chron.com)