Chad Johnson Sued for "Involvement in Public Scandal"

Coconut water maker Zico, which let the erstwhile Ochocinco go as a spokesman last year, claims in court documents that he continues to tarnish the brand

By Natalie Finn Feb 02, 2013 3:54 AMTags
Chad Ochocinco, Chad Johnson Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

This might knock some electrolytes out of Chad Johnson.

The currently unemployed football star was sued today by coconut water purveyor Zico Beverages, which signed him as a spokesman last year less than two months before a whopper of a week saw the erstwhile Chad Ochocinco arrested, released from the Miami Dolphins and on the receiving end of divorce papers.

According to the breach-of-contract lawsuit obtained by E! News, Johnson's bust on Aug. 11 for alleged domestic violence against Evelyn Lozada came just a month after he was introduced as the new face of Zico, paid an initial fee and provided with complimentary merchandise.

Zico states that it fired Johnson on Aug. 15, following his release from the Dolphins, "for his involvement in a public scandal that significantly impairs the use of his image...disparaging Zico by words and conduct, and causing injury to Zico's reputation."

Requests for comment from Johnson and his attorney have not yet been returned.

The plaintiff maintains in the suit that Zico continues to suffer from a damaged reputation thanks to its association with Johnson, and is asking for at least $40,886.76 in damages.

"I haven't had to tread water in a long time...special thank you to my fans...family...friends for keeping me afloat...," Johnson tweeted last summer following his series of hard knocks.

—Additional reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum