Miami Dolphin Loses Job Over Unpaid $40 Nightclub Tab

MIAMI, FL — A $40 tab at a 24-hour upscale Miami nightclub has cost Miami Dolphin linebacker Rey Maualuga his job. The 30-year-old Maualuga was charged with battery early Saturday morning after he allegedly grabbed a man by the throat and refused to pay his bill. The incident happened at E11EVEN, a 20,000-square-foot club, dayclub, nightclub, after hours and rooftop complex that features "entertainers, go-go dancers, theatrical performances, cirque style performances, and a state of the art sound, lights, and video offerings," according to the club's website.

Court documents said the victim confronted the 6 foot 2 inch, 350 pound Maualuga about $40 that he owed on his tab. The incident happened at 8:22 a.m. Saturday morning. The club is located at 29 NE 11th Street.

"The suspect became upset and refused to pay," according to court documents. "The victim stated that he continued to ask the suspect to pay. The suspect then grabbed the victim by the throat and shoved the victim."

The Miami Dolphins waived Maualuga later on Saturday and promoted running back De’Veon Smith off the practice squad.

Maualuga, who listed his occupation as "athlete" on the arrest report, was in his first season with the Dolphins. He played the first eight seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2009 to 2016. He played in 120 career NFL games with 108 starts and originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick (38th overall) in the 2009 NFL draft.

Court documents said that Maualuga lives in Villa Hills, Kentucky.

Maualuga was escorted out of the club and detained by a Miami police officer, who was called to the scene by club security.

"The victim positively identified the suspect as the person who committed the battery," court documents said.

Maualuga was taken to the Miami Police Department for booking at 10:38 a.m.

Smith signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent in May. He totaled 12 carries for 35 yards (2.9 avg.) in the preseason.

The Dolphins lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday by a score of 30-20.

Smith was a four-year letterman (2013-16) and two-year starter at Michigan where he played in 49 games with 26 starts and totaled 495 carries for 2,235 yards (4.5 avg.) and 22 touchdowns, according to the Dolphins. He started all 13 games as a senior in 2016 and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors.

Maualuga played in six games with four starts for the Dolphins after he was signed on Aug. 19. He recorded 23 tackles (14 solo) in his lone season with the team.

Former Miami Dolphin Rey Maualuga #58 makes a tackle during a game at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 5. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)