Stoughton Man Files Consumer Complain Against NFL

STOUGHTON, MA - A Stoughton man has filed a complaint with the state’s Attorney General’s office in an attempt to have two draft picks returned to the New England Patriots.

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James Derochea, who lives on Westview Drive, has filed a complaint on behalf of NFL consumers in Massachusetts as part of an effort for the NFL to reinstate the New England Patriots’ first and fourth picks that were taken away due to alleged violations stemming from the Deflategate saga.o reinstate the New England Patriots’ first and fourth picks that were taken away due to alleged violations stemming from the Deflategate saga.

Sports Legal Analysis Michael McCann was the first to report the complaint.

“On behalf of Consumers of the National Football League (NFL) in MA, I/we claim that the NFL has breached Chapter 93A, Section 2 & 2a of the MA General (Consumer) Laws by wrongfully taking away draft picks of the New England Patriots, who were absolved of wrongdoing (see Ted Wells Report). The NFL has also lost appeals against a player of that team. By denying the team of said draft picks as punishment without guilt, the NFL has, in essence, created an unfair method of competition for the Patriots and the consumer, when compared to the other 31 NFL franchises and consumers who likewise, have not warranted such punishment. (All teams not guilty = all teams keep draft picks). CHAPTER 93A – REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR CONSUMERS PROTECTION Section 2 – Unfair practices; legislative intent; rules and regulations Section 2. (a) Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce are hereby declared unlawful,” the complaint reads.

Derochea also has a Change.org petition with over 3,100 supports for his cause.

In addition to the draft picks, the Patriots were fined $1 million after the Wells Report determined that is was more probable than not that Tom Brady and some Patriots staff were aware of an effort to deflate footballs under the legal limit.