In a dramatic legal showdown, Chris “Birdman” Andersen, the former Denver Nuggets center, finds himself embroiled in a lawsuit with his longtime attorney and father figure, Mark Bryant.
Bryant has countersued Andersen in a Centennial court, alleging that he was never compensated for his extensive efforts in keeping Andersen out of prison, steering him away from drugs, and advising him against purchasing Crepes ‘n Crepes, a creperie that Andersen acquired for $650,000, only to see it subsequently close its doors.
The public feud began last fall when Andersen accused Bryant of theft and fraud in a lawsuit that claimed Bryant’s actions led to devastating consequences in Andersen’s personal, legal, and financial life.
In contrast, Bryant’s countersuit provides a different narrative, each alleging that the other is responsible for Andersen’s misfortunes and implying who should bear the financial burden arising from them.
Chris Andersen, now 47, began his NBA career in 2001 after being signed by the Nuggets.
His impressive athleticism earned him the nickname “Birdman,” and he subsequently enjoyed a career that spanned several teams, including the New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat, and Memphis Grizzlies, before retiring in 2017.
Off the court, Andersen’s legacy includes surviving a bizarre situation involving Canadian woman Shelly Chartier, who orchestrated a catfishing scheme that brought him into contact with a minor.
Although Andersen was investigated for having nude photographs of the girl, he was never charged, thanks in part to Bryant’s assistance in managing the fallout.
In his countersuit, Bryant highlights his role in helping Andersen avoid criminal charges during this incident, which could have led to severe repercussions.
Bryant argues that Andersen continued to have a successful professional career despite these challenges, notably bouncing back to play in the NBA after the scandal.
However, Andersen claimed that Bryant failed in another significant matter: resolving his tax issues stemming from 2015-2017, which resulted in additional penalties of $63,000.
Andersen also criticized Bryant for convincing him to sign a documentary deal without editorial control or compensation, stating that he felt misled about the agreement.
Bryant contends that Andersen made the decision to not pay taxes on his own and was well aware of the terms regarding the documentary rights.
“If you are good with it, I am good with it,” Bryant claims Andersen said regarding the film contract.
The spotlight on Andersen’s financial decisions continues with his investment in Crepes ‘n Crepes, which he bought in 2022 after dating Alexandra Pozdnyak, the daughter of the owners.
The creperie struggled to remain afloat after moving locations and eventually shut down due to unpaid taxes, leading to further blame directed at Bryant by Andersen.
Yet, Bryant counters that he had warned Andersen against taking on the business, citing significant debts and tax obligations already owed.
Despite his advice, Andersen went forward with the purchase, prompting Bryant to assist him in selling a home in Las Vegas to cover some of the costs associated with the business.
Bryant’s countersuit asserts that he assisted Andersen multiple times to rectify issues caused by the latter’s decisions, without being compensated for these services.
In addition to seeking unpaid attorney fees, Bryant’s lawsuit alleges defamation, claiming that Andersen’s allegations have harmed his professional reputation.
While the exact amount Bryant is seeking is not specified, he claims to have logged 880 hours of unpaid work related to his legal services for Andersen, not including the time spent on criminal matters.
Bryant’s legal representation includes Derek Anderson and Jennifer O’Shea from Winget Spadafora and Schwartzberg, while Andersen is represented by James Fogg and Delanie Grewe of Haddon Morgan and Foreman, both of whom declined to comment on the ongoing legal dispute.
In a further complication, Crepes ‘n Crepes has been ordered to pay $167,000 to its former landlord, City Street Investors, due to a broken lease, adding another layer to Andersen’s financial challenges.
As this high-stakes legal battle unfolds, both sides continue to navigate the tangled web of personal and professional grievances that have defined their relationship.
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