One of the headlines over the holiday weekend was the arrest of San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who allegedly choked MTV reality star Tila Tequila and threw her to the ground at her house. According to the Associated Press, Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment, which are both felonies. Merriman spent just a couple of hours in jail and denied all of the allegations.
"I think when it all surfaces, it will be a different situation. Period," Merriman told the Associated Press, who described Tequila as an acquaintance, not his girlfriend. He also referred the media to a press release that he released through his lawyer shortly after his release.
"At the time, I was concerned about her welfare, given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in, and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided," Merriman said in the statement. "We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I, in no way, caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined, but no injuries were reported."
For those who are unaware, Tequila was the star of the MTV reality show, 'A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila,' a bisexual dating show that featured both men and women trying to get with Tila. The show lasted two seasons, but Tila is also famous for being the first person to get 1 million friends on MySpace and posing for various men's magazines.
Athletes With Money Woes
Mel Blount, former member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, owes more than $631,000 in federal income taxes, according to the IRS. Click through the gallery to see more sports stars who have dealt with money trouble.
Paul Spinelli, Getty Images
Hockey star Sergei Fedorov says a man entrusted to manage his money during the past 11 years swindled him out of $43 million.
Mitchell Layton, NHLI/Getty Images
Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar recently filed for bankruptcy protection in Miami. Kosar's Chapter 11 filing lists liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.
Jamie-Andrea Yanak, AP
Former Phillies and Mets star Lenny Dykstra recently said that he's more than $31 million in debt.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
Mets legend Jerry Koosman could face up to one year in prison after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion. Koosman defrauded the government out of as much as $90,000, assistant U.S. attorney John Vaudreuil said.
Rich Pilling, Getty Images
Michael Vick, once the NFL's highest-paid player, recently finished his sentence for dogfighting charges. He agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons $6.5 million as part of his bankruptcy case, clearing the way for the team to release him.
Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP
Tennis legend John McEnroe was one of the many victims duped in a sophisticated $88 million art investment scam. McEnroe reportedly lost $2 million after investing a half share in two paintings, Arshile Gorky's "Pirate I and II."
Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE / Getty Images
NFL running back Deuce McAllister allegedly owed Nissan more than $6.6 million in a dispute over his car dealership. In March, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation filed suit against McAllister's dealership, and federal marshals reportedly targeted its inventory.
Bill Haber, AP
New York Yankees' Johnny Damon, left, and Xavier Nady were among the investors whose finances were previously frozen because of money they had with a company affiliated with Robert Allen Stanford.
Jim Rogash, Getty Images
In January, ex-slugger Jose Canseco battled against Danny Bonaduce in a boxing match because he's strapped for cash and claims to have squandered nearly $45 million. Canseco also tried his hand at mixed martial arts in May, but lost his debut in embarrassing fashion to giant Korean fighter Hong Man Choi.
Louis Lanzano, AP
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By: smays75 on 9/09/2009 1:30AM
you guys will learn one day. I guess he better get ready to write a check LOL
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