Former New York Mets outfielder Endy Chavez claims he was deceived into handing over $1.2 million to a fellow Major Leaguer and has failed in attempts to recover his money. The infielder, Melvin Mora, allegedly borrowed the money in installments from Chavez starting in 2019, according to legal documents filed on Friday in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Chavez, now 46 years old and who played for the Mets between 2006 and 2008, is suing Mora for fraud and breach of contract, alleging that he has “failed and continues to fail” to pay back the loan. Mora, aged 52, reportedly promised a sixfold return on investment, according to Chavez’s attorney, Matthew Blit. However, Chavez now believes there was no genuine investment opportunity and his lawyer says he feels he was simply conned out of his money by his former friend and teammate.
The legal action taken against Mora included serving him with a summons with notice – the legal precursor to a lawsuit – at a Hall of Fame baseball game in Cooperstown, as reported by Blit. Mora is said to have only repaid $50,000 of the loan, which Chavez’s attorney describes as a betrayal of trust between the two former players.
He betrayed Endy’s trust,” Blit told The Post. We don’t think it was a legit company. We just think he stole his money.” Chavez is now seeking $5 million in damages.
Speaking through his attorney, Chavez expressed the emotional impact of Mora’s actions on him: “Melvin was my friend, we are from the same country. I looked up to him and I trusted him. He promised me over and over that this is a secure and safe loan and investment, and when I finally agreed, he disappeared with my money. I was devastated financially, I was embarrassed and hurt. I didn’t want to sue him like this, but he just stopped returning my calls and never returned the rest of my money.
Mora, who played for the Mets between 1999 and 2000, did not immediately return a request for comment.
