ALBANY — The accountant for Albany Empire owner Antonio Brown said Saturday that paychecks are being withheld from employees because of equipment “stolen” from the arena football team, which saw its season end abruptly June 15 after it was kicked out of the National Arena League.
Albany Empire players and coaches discovered days ago that paychecks from their final game June 9 at Orlando had been pulled from their accounts. Empire head coach Moe Leggett has threatened a class-action lawsuit against Brown and his trust.
“We are reviewing and gathering information on stolen property and equipment not being returned to us after the last game,” accountant Alex Gunaris said in an email. “Football gear and other items were missing after we were removed from the league. Football helmets, shoulder pads, jerseys, equipment, etc. are on this list. Once we get a list of players who returned equipment we will reissue payments.”
Gunaris didn’t elaborate on the amount or value of the missing equipment.
Leggett, who has returned to his home in Georgia where he co-owns a gym, said all items were still in the Empire locker room when he left. He said that area has always been unsecured.
“Coaching staff has no equipment,” Leggett said. “And (Gunaris’ claim) does not excuse the lack of communication with the head coach. Attempts of finding out what was going on leading up to this issue without contact seems like a copout. My players were made aware of the possibility. So why would they do that? And yet me and my coaching staff had our (payments) reversed or weren’t paid. So what’s the excuse on that?”
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