Heyward Sues Agent Bruce Allen

Running back Craig (Ironhead) Heyward of the New Orleans Saints has filed a $3.3-million lawsuit against sports agent Bruce Allen, charging breach of contract and fraud.

The suit, filed Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, charges Allen, his former partner Bob Owens, and their GBA Sportsworld agency with consumer and securities fraud, racketeering, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty in a real-estate deal.

Allen is the son of George Allen, football coach at Cal State Long Beach. Owens was interim head coach in 1979 at Arizona State.

Heyward’s suit alleges that in the summer of 1988, Owens met with Heyward and his wife, Charlotte, to discuss investing in a condominium project in Phoenix.

The suit said Heyward understood he was investing in actual property when instead he was investing in a promissory note. It also alleges that Owens and Allen were involved in the development and did not disclose their interest.

The suit alleges Heyward suffered damages of $450,000 in investment losses, fees paid and lost investment opportunities while his money was tied up in the condominium investment. The suit seeks treble damages, which are granted in Arizona law in some instances, plus $1 million in punitive damages from each defendant.