Ex-gridder sues WSU, coach

A damage suit was filed in Superior Court March 2 by Zaire Webb, a football player who was dismissed from the team last fall and his athletic scholarship terminated after he was arrested at Pullman Walmart Oct. 4 and subsequently charged with third-degree theft which was subsequently dropped.

The suit names the university, Coach Mike Leach and other WSU officials.

It said Webb, a freshman from Jacksonville, Florida, was dismissed from the team the day after he was arrested at Walmart. Webb was at the store with Anthony White Jr., who was subsequently convicted of the charge. The state's case against White said he took items to a self scanning checkout line at Walmart and put some items through the scanner and other items in a bag without scanning them.

Filed by Spokane Attorney Michael Bissell, the suit said Webb was dismissed Oct. 5 by Leach for committing one of the violations which can lead to dismissal from the team. The 16-page suit cites alleged violations by other team members who were not subsequently dismissed from the team for one or more of the listed violations.

The suit cites breach of contract and three other causes of action and seeks damages, payment of attorney fees and other losses.