Most of the Who-Dat Nation noticed Drew Brees absence from a Saints training exercise but why he was on the road remained something of mystery.
The Saints passer was back in San Diego, where he previously played for the San Diego Chargers, in a lawsuit against a La Jolla area jeweler he claimed scammed him in a diamond purchase.
Brees charges Vahid Moradi, owner of CJ Charles Jewelers, was a trusted friend of over 15 years. In that time Brees made a $350-thousand investment in a software company owned my Moradi.
As the mortgage fallout of 2008-2009 and subsequent financial crisis started to take hold, Moradi advised Brees to buy investment grade diamonds and told him the precious stones would appreciate between 150-to-200 percent. In court Brees openly admitted he knew little about the colored diamonds Moradi was selling and testified he completely trusted his friend and relied on his recommendations.
Between 2012 and 2016 Brees purchased upwards of $15-million in stones, including a diamond ring for more than $8-million, which was later appraised at just $3.75-million.
According to the Advocate, Moradi claims the Breeses were not defrauded by him but by Houston appraiser Aldo Dinelli.
Moradi's defense team paints Dinelli as a 'con-man' who, after low-balling the appraised value of the diamonds convinced them to sell to a diamond wholesaler who is an associate of Dinelli.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming week.