Newly signed Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler is embroiled in a legal battle, with a Miami Beach rental company accusing him of failing to pay rent and leaving a property in disarray. The lawsuit, filed by Five Star Marketing and Promotions, was brought before a Miami-Dade County court on Wednesday, as reported by the Miami Herald.
Jimmy Butler's lawsuit details: unpaid rent and property damage
The lawsuit alleges that Butler did not pay rent for two months after his lease expired. The company also claims that he left the Miami Beach property in "complete disrepair" when he vacated.
Butler, who originally signed a lease for the nearly 5,400-square-foot home in August 2022, rented the five-bedroom, six-bathroom property at a monthly rate of $130,000. The property, built in 2016, was last sold for $7.3 million in 2021.
Neglected maintenance and damage to property
According to the lawsuit, Butler failed to maintain the property adequately during his stay. The rental company asserts that he prevented maintenance workers from accessing the home, including denying them entry to inspect the HVAC system.
This led to a "significant" leak that required costly repairs to the ceiling and floors. Furthermore, the company claims that the pool cleaning service hired by Butler did not perform their duties properly, resulting in broken pool pumps.
The lawsuit also highlights that Butler changed the locks to the property without providing the landlord with a copy of the new key.
Five Star Marketing and Promotions seeking over $250,000 in damages
Five Star Marketing and Promotions is seeking a total of $257,282 from Butler. This figure includes two months' rent, less the $130,000 security deposit, and $127,282 to cover the cost of the damages caused by Butler’s alleged neglect.
Jimmy Butler’s recent career moves
Butler's legal troubles come amid a turbulent end to his time with the Miami Heat. The NBA star had multiple suspensions after requesting a trade, which was granted ahead of the deadline, moving him to the Golden State Warriors. Butler made his debut with the Warriors on February 8, scoring 25 points in his first game.
Despite a rocky performance in the last two games, where he totaled only 11 points, the Warriors have been strong with him on the court, boasting a 7-1 record with Butler.
As the Warriors sit at a 32-28 record, they will face off against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, hoping to continue their winning momentum.
