Former Mayfield attorney hasn't been paid

Nov 1, 2009 - 6:29 PM By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

TALLADEGA, Ala.(AP) -- The former attorney for Jeremy Mayfield said he has yet to be paid for defending the suspended NASCAR driver.

Bill Diehl, the most prolific attorney in Charlotte, N.C., represented Mayfield following his May suspension for failing a random drug test. The two split last month when Mayfield hired celebrity attorney Mark Geragos.

Diehl, at Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday's race as a guest of team owner Rick Hendrick, said he would not discuss the reason for the split. When asked if it was true that Mayfield had not paid for Diehl's work, the attorney confirmed he's still seeking payment.

"I will get paid," said Diehl, who charges $1,000 an hour. "Jeremy has been told he needs to pay us."

Diehl argued in court that his suspension has stripped Mayfield of the ability to earn an income, and court documents claimed Mayfield does not have funds to cover basic living expenses.

Diehl contradicted that Sunday.

"I don't think he's fairly broke," Diehl said.

Mayfield recently put almost all of his belongings on the auction block. The auction, scheduled for Nov. 20 in Catawba County, N.C., lists 475 acres of land, a home under renovation, jewelry, guns and cars from Mayfield's personal collection.

However, Mayfield told a North Carolina news station that he's holding the auction for fun, not necessity.

"It's all I do all the time is try to find the nearest auction around, just trying to get a deal and just trying to outbid somebody," he told News 14 Carolina. "It's kind of competitive and sometimes I've ended up with stuff I didn't want just cause I got excited and started to bid against somebody."

Mayfield was suspended in May for failing a random drug test. NASCAR said he tested positive for methamphetamines, and Mayfield has denied ever using the illegal drug.