Encarnacion camp plans to fight $11.5 million lawsuit

By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Paul Kinzer, who represents Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion, said his client will fight a civil lawsuit in which a Bronx, N.Y. woman asks for $11.5 million US in damages from the Toronto slugger.

The suit filed by Ashley Lebron, 24, in a New York court claims Encarnacion knowingly infected her with two sexually transmitted diseases earlier this year in the Dominican Republic. 

Kinzer sent a statement from Miami and legal counsel Chris Koras to the Canadian Baseball Network, which read that the action against Encarnacion was “completely inappropriate and meritless.”

“(Edwin) will take every legal measure to defend himself against this frivolous claim, and will bring appropriate claims in the appropriate forums against all of the individuals seeking to exploit his financial position,” the statement read. “This is an unacceptable attack on his exceptional character and stellar reputation within the baseball community as a man who carries himself with the highest level of integrity.”

According to court documents filed in New York the 24-year-old woman is suing Encarnacion, alleging that he infected her with two sexually transmitted diseases during a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in February.

“Mr. Encarnacion will not be commenting on this matter,” said Kinzer. “He will not allow this to distract from his continued focus of contributing to his team’s success. We kindly ask that his privacy be respected.”

Robert Lanza of Lanza, Reich and Daniel will represent Encarnacion. 

The statement of claim contains allegations yet to be proven in court.

Encarnacion, 33, is hitting .269 with 35 homers and 101 RBIs after Toronto’s win over the Los Angeles Angels is in the final season of a four-year, $39-million deal and headed for free agency. In the spring Encarnacion said he wanted a deal done by opening day or he would not talk contract during the season. 

Lebron says in her statement of claim that her family have been friends with Encarnacion, meeting him in 2013. Documents say Lebron and Encarnacion met again in September 2015 in Baltimore. Lebron’s claim said Encarnacion invited her to the Dominican in February.

The original story was reported by TMZ.