PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – On June 8, two young attorneys who are also real estate agents became plaintiff and defendant over a Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic jersey recently valued at $3,000. The legal complaint was assigned to Small Claims court.
According to the legal complaint, the prized possession is a “Luka Doncic Autographed Nike Blue in color 2020 NA All-Star Swingman Jersey with the inscription of “1st ASG”, with a blue box as its original packaging and an accompanying certificate of authenticity through Fanatics Sports.”
In Michael Steffen v. Bogdan Jocic, Steffen expressed belief his Doncic jersey, purchased with his own credit card and shipped to his parents’ address, is located at the defendant’s law firm Jocic and Koulianos in Tarpon Springs. According to a note alleged as written on the jersey’s box package just prior to the passing of the jersey to Jocic, Steffen scribbled the jersey was “a loan…for “a not-so-fine art opening” and was a “bailment.” Bailment refers to providing something for a purpose, but not for transfer of ownership.
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Prior to suing Jocic, Steffen wrote a pre-suit letter which in part states, “Despite repeated demands to return my item you have failed to do so. I am saddened that I have to send a presuit notice in order to demand the return of the following item…”
Steffen purchased the Doncic jersey which is limited-edition sports memorabilia for $1,499.00 plus tax. In the suit, he demanded the current value of the jersey plus $310 in costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Steffen has since filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal dated June 15. The Free Press discovered through Tarpon Springs attorney, George Kezemides, speaking on behalf of Steffen, that the lawsuit was amicably resolved. Kezemides stated, “No party admitted fault.”
He also stated that Steffen did retrieve the jersey and is going to donate it to the “Ride and Run with the Stars” foundation program of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. “Ride and Run” is Tampa Bay’s largest, law enforcement-organized holiday charity fundraiser.
Steffen’s attorneys were Nicola Mitry and Barbara M. Brown of Brown and Associates Law and Title, Tampa.
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