HEADLINE

Homeowners sue Giants CB Jenkins for $700,000

Field Level Media

March 24, 2019 at 5:07 pm.

New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been sued by the owners of the New Jersey home he rented, contending the value has fallen by 30 percent since a man’s body was found there.

In court documents filed last week, the owners said they are seeking $700,000 in damages, according to NorthJersey.com.

The body of music producer Roosevelt Rene was found in the basement of the home last June. Jenkins’ brother, William Jenkins, was charged with aggravated manslaughter and other charges related to Rene’s death.

William Jenkins and Rene both lived with the cornerback in the home in Fair Lawn, N.J., and the property owners, identified in the lawsuit as S.R. and N.R. Tummalapenta, also contend Janoris Jenkins broke the terms of the lease by allowing others to reside there.

“Setting aside the utterly tragic incident that occurred in June of last year,” said attorney Jonathan Swichar, who represents the Tummalapentas, “Mr. Jenkins and the additional, non-occupant tenants and visitors have caused considerable reputational and physical damage to the property, in addition to emotional pain for the Tummalapentas — who one day hoped to pass this home to their children.”

Janoris Jenkins signed a five-year, $62.5 million contract in 2016 with the Giants.