Manning fraud accuser wants to give QB benefit of the doubt

Brandon Steiner, CEO of memorabilia company Steiner Sports, says he isn't looking to take down New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning with the lawsuit he filed recently, he just wants a fair business deal.

The lawsuit accuses Manning of knowingly giving Steiner Sports helmets that weren't used in games, but were presented as such.

Related: Giants claim email linking Manning to memorabilia fraud 'taken out of context'

Appearing via Facebook Live on Monday, Steiner said he wants to believe Manning didn't defraud him, though he has some reason for doubt. Court documents leaked to the media showed Manning asking his equipment manager in an email for "2 helmets that can pass as game used."

"When Eli Manning walks into your office and he says, 'these are my game-used items,' then I'd like to think that I can believe that," Steiner said, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.

Steiner added that his company has had a longstanding contract with Manning in which he recently agreed to provide two-to-three game-used items per season.

When one viewer of Steiner's Facebook Live session asked why he hadn't cut ties with Manning, Steiner reiterated that he wants to give Manning a chance after the two sides maintained a successful relationship throughout the quarterback's career. He told ESPN he had been out of the country when the court documents were leaked, and has yet to have a chance to speak with Manning.

"First of all, we haven't gotten all the facts and we don't know if Eli has done anything wrong," Steiner said. "Secondly, I think we are all better than our worst mistake. We've had a 14-year relationship with a guy that's amazing to us. He has been a great partner, he has been a friend, and he has been amazing to our customers in every sense of the word."