New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz were reportedly named as defendants in a phone card scam.
The St. Petersburg Times reported shortstops Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles and Julio Lugo of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and New York Yankees reliever Octavio Dotel were also named in the $35 million lawsuit.
Attorney Salvador Delgado, who is representing convenience store owners, said his clients unknowingly sold the defective cards, which were advertised by the players. American Worldwide Telecom, STX Communications, TWD Prepaid Cards, STI Mobile and Global Compass Inc. were also reportedly named as defendants.
Delgado told the newspaper most of the cards were bought by Dominicans, who used them to phone home. However, according to the lawsuit, a $2 phone call was supposed to be for 70 minutes, but it expired after nine or 10 minutes.
The Times said the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York and claimed deceptive advertising and fraud.