A local homebuilder is suing former Major League Baseball All-Star Gary Sheffield and his wife, Deleon, for outstanding payments owed on home renovations.
According to a lawsuit filed April 9, the Sheffields contracted with LYH Custom Building and Remodeling for improvements and additions to their home located at 932 Anchorage Road in Tampa.
According to LYH, more than $2 million in labor and materials have been used in the remodeling project on the 9,234-square-foot home and that construction is 90 percent complete.
LYH alleges the Sheffields began refusing to pay invoices and demanded discounts for already-rendered services and on materials already purchased and used. LYH also says they continue to be financially liable to subcontractors for services rendered.
According to lawsuit documents, the Sheffields owe $155,478 to LYH in unpaid invoices.
The Sheffields purchased the home in 2013 for $1.975 million. The property is located near another home the couple owns located at 922 Anchorage Road.
The couple has not filed for homestead exemption on either property and it’s unclear whether they plan to live in the home being renovated.
The lawsuit does not specify why the Sheffields began refusing payment. That begs the question; did the couple have a problem with the company’s quality of work or the time frame in which work was being completed? Is it possible the couple simply could no longer afford the renovations?
Gary Sheffield played outfield and occasionally first base, third base and short stop from 1988 until 2009. He played for eight Major League Baseball teams including the Florida Marlins, the New York Yankees and Mets, the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sheffield attended Hillsborough High School.
Sheffield also once owned a home in St. Pete’s Pinellas Point neighborhood. During Sheffield’s career it was known as the party mansion and was later used in the movie Spring Breakers. That home was sold by a subsequent owner for $2.6 million in 2013.
