Baseball legend Jim Palmer and his wife sue British hair stylist for ‘defrauding them out of $1MILLION after building trust with the couple by befriending their autistic stepson’
Hall of Fame pitcher, philanthropist and celebrity pitchman Jim Palmer has filed a lawsuit against a former friend, whom he claims defrauded the Baltimore Orioles legend out of nearly $1 million before disappearing.
According to the filing, obtained by DailyMail.com, Palmer claims defendant Warren Michael Holmes misrepresented himself as a successful British hair stylist to extract $985,000 in personal loans from the retired hurler and his wife, Susan. The loans were intended to be used to start a line of beauty products, but Palmer is now accusing Holmes of breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, fraud in the inducement and unjust enrichment.
Perhaps worst of all, Holmes is accused of building trust with the family by befriending Palmer’s autistic stepson, Spencer, before ultimately becoming the boy’s guardian and trust manager.
‘We understand people are going to think we are the most gullible people on the face of the earth,’ said Susan Palmer, as quoted by The Athletic. ‘Well, OK. I just want to make sure he doesn’t do this again.’
Palmer filed suit in Orange County, California in late 2023, but the lawsuit didn’t surface publicly until it was revealed by The Athletic this week.
Holmes could not be reached for comment, and his exact whereabouts are unknown as the Palmers continue to search for him. Both parties are supposed to meet in court in February to set schedules, but Holmes must first be found and served.
The couple claims they were inclined to help Holmes because of his relationship with Spencer.
